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#location: mary margaret's loft
henyrmlls · 1 year
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series meme: 2/2 locations - Mary Margaret’s Loft
It’s officially a cold day in hell when I move in with the Charmings.
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the-darkdragonfly · 2 years
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Chapter Two: Tide Line
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A Trick of the Light - A Captain Swan Tale
Emma & Killian have found their way back to their own time, but finding their home again will prove to be another adventure entirely…The Tale of a reunited family, an inescapable destiny and the marvels of indoor plumbing.
Thank you to the world’s best beta and most wonderful human ever @elizabeethan
♥️♥️♥️
"I can see three from here, lad," Killian heckled, delighting in Henry's frantic searching of the bookshelf, the small multicolored wrapped chocolates glittering in the morning sunlight. He had stayed up late, having plotted for weeks since learning of this pirate-approved holiday- it’s religious, babe, not pirateous- mapping out the perfect places to hide his grocery bag of loot- hiding treasure? That’s a pirate activity, Swan.
She had stolen a handful of eggs from his bag, and he tsked his tongue at her, setting a small egg on the ledge to ensure it would stay in place, before snatching it back and moving to the next location he had selected. “That’s not a word, Swan.” 
“It’s on Urban Dictionary,” she defended, cheeks bulging from the eggs she had popped into her mouth lest he try to retake them. His answer was a disgruntled grunt and the side look he shot her told her exactly what he thought of the dictionary he had never heard of. 
The morning was slightly less chaotic than Christmas, but the children vibrated with an energy echoing the sugar which awaited them, and Killian couldn’t help but feel swept along with their enthusiasm, heart skipping as he watched Henry kneel and point to the eggs he had hidden in plain view for Hope. 
The sight settled something, a small piece of his soul which still remained anchorless and drifting, calling out to the memory of a home they left behind. This was better, his heart whispered, warm and solid in his chest, this is far, far better. 
Hope vibrated with excitement, hoping like a bunny through the living room as Henry helped her find enough eggs to fill her small basket. She was sated for the time being, small fingers diligently unwrapping yet another foiled chocolate egg- she probably doesn't need any more today, kid- attention entirely on her task as she ignored the dramatic hunt taking place in the next room, Killan’s laugh reverberating through the main floor- warmer…ah, no…. cooler now…. warmer- dressed in bunny pajamas Mary Margaret had brought the evening before, declaring she had informed the Easter Rabbit- it’s a bunny, Mom- that it was to stop by the loft on its way through town. 
They were heading to the loft for dinner, instructed to bring baskets for the eggs that the Rabbit would leave- rabbits are the same as bunnies, Emma- and the boardgame Henry was telling them about the weekend before. 
"Ugh."
"Getting warmer."
"I'm pretty sure you're cheating," Henry groused, dragging a chair from the kitchen over, the feet scraping angrily over the gleaming hardwood Killian insisted they keep polished with the floor attachment her mother had bought him for Christmas- aye, Swan, I do like this contraption- before hopping on the seat, cawing gleefully when he seized a caramel filled egg from the top shelf. 
"I would never," Killian scoffed, hiding a smile behind the mug of coffee Emma had pressed into his palm, weary eyed and grumpy over the early morning- enjoy this for me, babe. 
"You do," Henry surveyed the room from his new perch, leaping down and dragging the chair behind him to retrieve two candies from the window ledge. “All the time!” 
He found two more eggs before gloating that there could not possibly be any more left hidden, and he was more than prepared to move on to the kitchen. 
Killian’s response was to raise an eyebrow, push dramatically away from where he had been lounging on the sofa and swipe four eggs Henry had missed from the picture frame above the mantel- Hey! Wait!- smirking as he unwrapped and popped them into his mouth. “Now, the living room is clear,” he ruffled Henry’s hair and picked the chair up to return it to the kitchen. 
♥️♥️♥️
Read the rest here ♥️
Tag List (let me know if you would like to be added!):
@elizabeethan @donteattheappleshook @sailtoafarawayland @teamhook @wefoundloveunderthelight @caught-in-the-filter @batana54 @ultraluckycatnd @veryverynotgood @snowbellewells @hollyethecurious @jrob64 @kmomof4 @artistic-writer @gingerpolyglot @xarandomdreamx @xhookswenchx @justanother-unluckysoul @itsfabianadocarmo @zaharadessert @jadehowlettthewolf @xsjax @karlyfr13s @tiganasummertree @wyntereyez @klynn-stormz @onceratheart18 @rkrbirdgirl @ouatdaily @blowmiakisscolin @courtorderedcake @winterbaby89 @pirateprincessofpizza @superchocovian @deckerstarblanche @jlsadphoenix @alexa-fangirl-forever @stahlop @undercaffinatednightmare @lostintheskyfaraway @anmylica @motherkatereloyshipper @last-tsarina @lfh1226-linda @hookedmom @yikes-00 @midnightsuki
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seriouslyhooked · 3 years
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I’ll Stay (Vulnerable)
Cannon divergent oneshot based in 3A when everyone is back from Neverland. CS-centric, and involves Emma coming to grips with her feelings for Hook much earlier.  Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.
A/N: Hey everyone! In this chapter, we are taking things back to season 3 and we are rewriting it. I know, I know, you’re all shocked. Me – a devoted follower of fluff and hope – is going to rewrite a storyline where Emma and Henry left everyone behind and forgot them? Yup. Absolutely. Would write this fic a hundred times in a hundred different ways if I could. In this divergent little drabble, we made it through Neverland and got rid of Pan without any more curses or nonsense. Everyone knows what could have happened, but they avoided it, and now Emma is grappling with the fact that something more than a ‘one-time thing’ is happening between her and Hook. Inspired by the song ‘Vulnerable’ by Selena Gomez.
The irony was not lost on Emma that sleep was eluding her.
After what felt like an eternity fighting to get Henry back from the clutches of Pan and from the brink of danger, they were finally home. They’d staved off another curse, circumvented another terrible twist that would have ripped them all apart once more, and, most importantly, her kid was safe, sleeping in his bed and on the road to healing from this terrible adventure.
Over the past week, Emma had barely closed her eyes. Leading them through Neverland and navigating the wickedness of Gold and his father was a constant struggle. The physical toil and the emotional pain had been profound. She was exhausted and weary, but still, sleep would not come.
Here in the loft, the air was quiet, and the mood was peaceful. The moonlight trickled through the glass pane of her window, and the curtains caught in the breeze filtering in from outside. The temperature was perfect, cool and refreshing, but warm under the covers. The bad guys had been beaten, Storybrooke was safe, and the calm seemed stable, at least enough to last through the night. But it didn’t matter. Despite her best efforts, Emma could not sleep. She’d tried everything, but none of it would work.
It’s never going to work, she said to herself dejectedly. Not until you face this.
“Yeah, that’s not happening,” she muttered aloud, shutting down the part of her that wanted to work things out instead of always avoiding.
She heaved out a sigh of defeat and tossed the rumpled sheets off of her. Climbing out of bed and tiptoeing to the kitchen, Emma made sure to avoid all the noisiest parts of this apartment. She didn’t want to disturb Henry or her parents, but she couldn’t handle being cooped up in that bed. It was getting her nowhere. In fact, it was making things worse. Lying there in the dark, she was bombarded by memories and what ifs. It all was overwhelming, and enough to drive her mad.
Wordlessly she moved to the kitchen and found herself reaching for the ingredients needed for a calming cup of cocoa. Despite the lateness of the hour, she knew it would be a small token of comfort in a long, unrelenting night. The motions of preparing the sweat treat were soothing. This was a ritual she had grown accustomed to, and was mindless enough to lose herself in. But this late-night activity, which usually saw her through the worst of days, didn’t yield the desired effect. Her thoughts still wandered, circling back to a particular pirate who perplexed and provoked her.
I don’t understand his motives, she said to herself, knowing this was her cynicism taking the lead. Why is he still helping? Why take the risk? What is he after?
Why does he have to be ‘after’ anything? The reasonable part of her brain replied. Why can’t you just accept that he cares about you?
Because it can’t happen.
It already has. The kiss, in Neverland…
It was a one-time thing.
It doesn’t have to be.
It does.
It doesn’t.
It does.
You’re scared.
Of course, I’m scared! He’s Captain freaking Hook!
He’s just Killian.
“He’s not just anything,” Emma murmured as she mixed in the chocolate, watching the warmed milk turn to a rich, silky chestnut color. Here was the kernel of truth she was terrified to admit. To Emma, Hook wasn’t just a villain or a pirate. He was more, intricate and messy and moving and intriguing.
During their time in Neverland, Hook had awakened something in her. It started with the kiss, that sinful encounter that drove her to distraction, but also struck her heart, piercing armor she had been building up for years. Okay, maybe it started before that. There were plenty of heated glances, and barbed bits of repartee between them that almost felt like foreplay, but the kiss lit a fuse she didn’t realize existed. It was meant to be a power move, a strategic plan to shut him up, maybe the vent some of her frustrations out, but the consequences lingered, and they were ones that Emma never saw coming.
She could still taste him even now, the ghost of that embrace tracing touches on her skin. Pressed up against him, the roughness of leather and metal, the scrape of his beard, the taut lines of his body… She’d given into him in that moment and lingered in the pleasure. When they kissed, Emma allowed herself a minute just to feel and to live. For a fleeting blip of time, the world wasn’t crumbling around her. She was restored and she was hopeful, but it had to be just once. She wasn’t meant to want any more than that. She certainly shouldn’t still be thinking of it now, but here she was. And she was thinking of more too, thinking of the ways he’d risked himself, the ways he’d supported her, the way he’d saved her father. She acknowledged in the silence of her self-dialogue that she had grown to count on him, and that she felt drawn to him, even when his obvious role had come to an end. She should have been eager for him to go, now that the task of defeating Pan was over, but the thought of him leaving left an aching, empty feeling in her chest.
Over the past few days, Hook had luckily shown no real signs of setting outward. He was still sarcastic and cocky and cutting. He was practically gleeful every time he got to torment David, and his actions towards Neal and towards Gold were downright frosty still, but there was honor underneath it all and a respect he gave the others and this town that spoke to a more gentlemanlike nature. She had seen him when they located Henry, and observed a genuine relief when she was reunited with her son. She noticed the way he minded the others, helping far more than he hurt, and how he bit back the bullshit bad guy act when they just couldn’t take it. He could read a room, and he often did, though he hid behind the swagger and the accent. And more than once there was something that colored his gaze, swimming in the blue depths of his eyes. When he looked at her, he hid nothing, and let the weight of his affection flow between them. He may not say the words aloud, but he laid it all out there, showing a vulnerability she never imagined but desperately craved. He wanted her, and Emma… well Emma wanted -
“Couldn’t sleep?”
Emma jumped, her hand moving towards her chest and making contact with the speedy pacing of her heartbeat. Adrenaline spiked in her system, but she immediately relaxed when she saw it was only Mary Margaret. Emma worried for a moment that the conversations playing in her head may have been whispered out loud, but her mother (God that was still so weird to say), showed no awareness. Seeing as Mary Margaret was incapable of keeping secrets, Emma knew her own were safe. At least for now.
“No. You?”
“I wish,” Her mother said, reaching into the cupboard and coming out with cinnamon, bringing a small smile to Emma’s lips. “I never can after these escapades. But your father? Out like a light the moment the bad things pass. It’s almost like it never happened.”
“Lucky guy,” Emma joked, and her mother chuckled, a thoughtful expression coloring her face.
“We are all lucky tonight. It was almost so much worse.” Snow’s words had the lilt of unshed tears hanging on the end. Emma could see the mistiness in her mother’s eyes, and felt the weight of her worry. “We almost lost you again, Emma.”
“I know, but you didn’t,” Emma said, placing a hand on her mother’s shoulder. Snow placed her own hand over it and took a deep breath, nodding. She wiped two stray tears away quickly but collected herself.
“Everything that’s happened… well it’s put things in perspective for me.”
“Like what?”
“I was wrong, Emma. In Neverland, when I practically interrogated you about Hook.” 
To say that this was unexpected was an understatement. Emma was shocked at the acknowledgement, even though she appreciated the words.
“It’s fine.”
“It isn’t,” her mother emphasized, and Emma stayed quiet. Snow was right after all. It wasn’t great. It had caused more pain in a series of painful events, but Emma planned to just move past it and leave the discomfort behind them. “I didn’t understand what you had been through. Even worse I jumped to my own conclusions. I was pushing you towards Neal, thinking Hook was the bad guy, but in the end, looking at the full picture, that’s not really the story, is it?”
“No, it isn’t,” Emma agreed. “Honestly, I can’t really follow the story anymore. I feel…”
“Lost?” her mother asked. Emma nodded.
“Yeah. Crazy right? We leave Neverland, and somehow I’m more lost back home than I was there.”
“Maybe,” her mother mused, as Emma poured two glasses of cocoa. She handed them to Snow for added cinnamon, but she was curious as to her mother’s hesitation.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, are you really lost, Emma? Or are you scared of facing what it is that you want?”
The words were a swift punch to the gut, but Emma sustained them, taking a sip of her cocoa and braving up to respond honestly. “The second one. But it’s insane. How is it possible? A few weeks ago, I’d never even met this man. He’s a pirate – a villain from a story that I read as a kid. Things are moving so quickly, and yet their standing still. I don’t know what to do.”
“Do you trust him?”
“As much as I trust anyone,” she admitted, the truth coming out for the first time since meeting him.
“Do you care for him?”
Emma nodded, not daring to say that part just yet. Her mother’s eyes softened, a look of love despite the strangeness of this suitor.
“Does it have potential?”
“I don’t know,” Emma whispered, but the feeling in her chest that had been there for a while now was blooming something fierce. This may not be her gut, per se, but it was something adjacent, an instinct and an emotion screaming out that there was more than meets the eye here. This was different. This was special.
“If you think about the future, is he there?”
“I think I want him to be,” Emma said, knowing there wasn’t much thinking to be done. That was what she wanted, and now, she’d finally confessed it.
“Then you have your answer. It’s just a matter of facing it and doing what you need to do.”
Her mother’s observation hung between them and Emma realized Snow had immediate expectations. “You mean now? But it’s late.”
“So? He’s a pirate. I don’t know much about them, but I’ll hazard a guess that they don’t keep normal hours.”
“This is crazy.”
“Affairs of the heart usually are, Emma. You’ll recall I once bashed your father in the head with a rock, and yet the thought of going one more day without him by my side…” Emma’s pulse skipped a beat at the mention of her heart. Another sign that deep down she had known for quite a while what she wanted. “You’ll never sleep until it’s settled, honey. Believe me, I know. You take after your mother, just as I took after mine.”
Emma didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry at her mother’s joke, but she found herself hugging Snow close and thanking her. From there, things got a bit hazy. She was working off of adrenaline, moving to her room and changing out of her pajamas before heading into the Storybrooke night. It was just after midnight, not tremendously late, but by small town standards it was as quiet as quiet could get. Everything was closed now, the diner, the inn. Even the bar was locked up tight, and that was as late-night as Storybrooke ever got. There was no one around, just Emma and the pounding of her heart. Still, she kept moving, following the advice of her mother and the sense of what-if that had nagged at her all evening.
Soon enough she was at the docks, following the lamp light, and headed in the direction of the Jolly Roger. It wouldn’t be difficult to spot, as the only Enchanted Forest vessel in the harbor, but still Emma worried. What if he’d left in the dark of the night? What if he believed her when she said this didn’t matter? What if she was too late?
When the ship came into view, she exhaled a sigh of relief, but it was quiet. The lights were out. There were no signs of movement anywhere. And then she heard it. Singing, feint at first, but louder as she approached the boat. The voice was deep, but ruggedly refined. She knew it was Hook, but she’d never actually considered what he’d sound like in a song. His voice was beautiful and a little haunting, the seafaring shanty being one of heartache and loss. It was somber and serene, but despite its content, it was also a little bit hopeful. At least to Emma. Because if Killian was up signing instead of sleeping in his quarters after all they’d faced in the past few weeks, maybe that meant he was thinking thoughts like the ones that she’d been plagued with.
On their voyage to and from Neverland, Emma came to know this ship intimately, and the wooden planks called out to her. They were familiar and welcoming, two things she never believed she would ever say. It would be so easy to come aboard and just announce herself. But instinctively she knew it wasn’t okay to board this ship without permission. Insecurities crept in at the realization. She was intruding. This wasn’t right.
This was stupid, she reasoned to herself. I should have waited until morning. I should have –
“Swan?”
The voice she most wanted to hear played strange tricks on her now, sending a shiver of anticipation through her system and a tiny bit of terror as well. She looked to the deck but didn’t see him, then she realized the voice had sounded out from a higher locale. Her eyes climbed the great mast of the Jolly and there he was, perched atop the crow’s nest. With a coordination and grace reserved for the movies, he swung down from the great height with a rope from above. The action only tensed the hard lines of his muscles even more, and Emma took each movement in, unable to look away.
Hook was still dressed in a way she was used to seeing, but now he was missing his jacket and his vest. His hair was tousled, and his beard a touch darker, or perhaps that was a trick of the moonlight. She’d never seen him like this before. He was somehow even sexier than usual, and it overwhelmed her. He descended from the ship at a hurried clip, moving towards her with purpose and precision. He closed the distance between them, until they were mere inches away from one another. When he was near enough, his eyes searched her whole being for signs of trouble, and his hand came out to reach for hers in a show of comfort. She extended hers in kind, and her body came alive at the contact. Her breathing caught as her eyes met his cerulean gaze, brimming with intensity and earnestness.
“Emma, love, are you all right? Is it Henry? Has something happened?”
The worry in his tone was evident, and the honesty she felt flowing off of him broke the last fragments of her will power. She couldn’t take it anymore. She was in this, and it was damn well time that she act like it.
She practically leapt into his arms, pulling him down by the v of his somewhat unbuttoned shirt and kissing him as she’d wanted to ever since walking away back in Neverland. The instant delight that came was heady and addictive, and this time Emma knew that she could savor it. There was nothing looming on the horizon – nothing poised to stop them or intrude on this big moment – and for the first time in a long time, Emma felt free. Free to feel and free to want something only for herself.
Hook needed only the briefest moment to respond. He practically purred out his approval, the growl he let loose buzzing through her and setting her ablaze. His expert use of hand and hook left her shaking. He pulled her even closer, closing the remaining space between them, and enveloping her in every part of him. Emma stopped knowing where she ended and he began. God, this was perfect. Easily the best kiss she’d ever had. How could anything possibly feel this good? His hard body had her squirming in his grasp, seeking any semblance of friction and relief. She’d been carrying desire for this man for too long, but compartmentalizing and hiding it away. Now it flowed freely, surrounding her, engulfing her, and leaving her breathless.
She wasn’t the only one trying to soak in every moment. Hook was just as ravenous, nipping and teasing her with touches designed to seduce and to entrance. He was hot and fierce and alluring, the scent of rum and salt and sea air clinging to him. It felt dangerous and daunting, but also natural and filled with need. Like magnets flung towards impact, two opposites attracting and finding something more. Many parts of this were familiar, but then it changed, sparked fire, and blazed to something past her comprehension.
With the benefit of privacy and time, Hook took control and guided the kiss. He was dominant and demanding in ways Emma never allowed another man to be. It set her soul on fire, and tilted the world into a whole new point of view. This heated embrace stole every shred of sanity Emma had left, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. Neverland was about her making a statement, and tonight was as well. But Hook would have his say this time, and he showed her so much more through luscious actions than anyone ever had with words. This kiss was a revelation, a seduction any siren would be proud of, and here she was, caught within the storm but finding that she loved it all the same.
Coming up for air was a struggle, mostly because now that she had done this, Emma didn’t want to let go. But after the fervor of first contact, they both knew that they had to talk about this. For Emma, it was time to fess up, and to confess that the fear of taking a chance was overwhelming, but that the fear of losing a chance at this was even more jarring.
“It’s difficult for a man to determine if he’s dreaming when a woman as lovely as you appears like this, Swan.” Killian uttered the words as his fingers traced along her jaw. His hook held her hip in place, the cool metal a source of strange comfort. Emma nuzzled in closer, leaning against his palm and breathing him in as her eyes closed. “But in all my years I’ve never had a dream that compares to you. So it must be real. Please, Gods above, let it be real.”
“It’s real,” she whispered, pressing another soft kiss on his lips. “We’re real. I’ve been scared as hell to say that, but I…”
“I understand, love. It’s wholly unexpected. And I’m not exactly the kind of man a woman like you deserves.”
“Don’t say that,” she pleaded, and the pain in his eyes sent a sharp sting through her heart. Obviously he didn’t see himself the way she saw him. But maybe with time, things would be more clear.
“It’s the truth, Swan.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Aye.”
“Do you want me?” He nodded immediately, his hold on her tightening, whether or not he realized it. Her lips curved up to a small smile at that, and she not so secretly loved how sure and certain he was in this.
“Yes.”
“Would you ever hurt me?” she asked, her voice breaking slightly, and the pain of her past surging up in darkened memories.
“I might, love, but Gods strike me down if I do, because it’s the last thing in the world I’d ever want.”
“And that’s how I know,” she whispered. Looking at him with new conviction, willing him to believe her. “That’s the difference with you, Killian. I see you, I see your heart, and I know you see me. Not the savior, not the sheriff, not the lost little girl or the woman with walls. You see me. Just me.”
“You’re all I see, Swan. Have been for some time.”
She didn’t know who started their next kiss, but she felt the frenzy of it all the same. It was just as magnificent as before, but this time sincerity simmered throughout as well. The understanding they were reaching made it all the better. Knowing they were both going to jump here gave her comfort, but there were still some words to say.
“I don’t really know how to do this,” she admitted, running her hand across his chest as their foreheads touched. She looked down to avoid an embarrassing exchange. Patiently he waited, but when she stayed stock still, he tilted back and brought up his hook. He gently nudged her chin back up, prompting her to see that there was nothing like judgment in his eyes.
‘Neither do I. But we’ll see it through. Together.”
“I’m not good at letting people in.”
This time he grinned, looking like a man who was up for the challenge of scaling her walls. She almost rolled her eyes until he took her hand in his and pressed a gentle kiss upon it. It was an intimate gesture that made her heart soar. Who was this man who could be so roughish and rough one moment and yet gentle and sweet the next?
“That makes two of us.”
“I’m going to fuck this up,” she affirmed, assured of the missteps she would make and wanting him to realize she was so much less than perfect.
Now he looked frustrated, and his voice ground out in a graveled, gruff tone. “Not possible.”
“How do you know?”
‘Because you’re you, Swan,” he murmured, pressing sweet kisses to her face, to her neck and jaw, then her lips once more. “You’re rare and remarkable and real. You can do anything you set your mind to, anything but push me away. I’m in this, Emma. Entirely and completely. It’s soon to admit that, but you deserve the truth, and you’ll always hear it from me.”
“I really want to trust you,” she whispered, clutching onto his shirt and letting this one last worry live between them.
“And someday you will. In the meantime, I can wait. I will wait. As long as it takes.” That was all it took. Peace finally claimed her, and something in her settled.
“Okay,” she murmured, leaning in to hug him and basking in his heat and the gentle thrumming of his heart.
“Okay,” he replied, a lilted whisper in her hair as he held her close.
They remained out there for a while more, but neither needed to say anything for them to realize what must come next. Emma needed to go home, and he would see her there, safe and sound. They walked together, down Main Street in the moonlight, hand in hand, with the closeness of lovers, and the poise of two similar souls seeking comfort in each other. No one was around to see them, but Emma knew they would very soon. She wasn’t going to hide this, and someday they’d walk in the light together, letting everyone know exactly where they stood.
When they were back by the loft, Emma stalled, not wanting this to end. She wished she could invite him up for a drink, a drink that would no doubt turn to more, but she couldn’t. Instead, they needed to say goodbye for now, but she found she wasn’t sure how.
Killian took the moment to pull her in, kissing her one last time, and saying again with actions what words could only half describe. This kiss was sweet but insistent, a reminder and a promise of all that he would give and all that they could have if they chose to be together. When they broke apart, Emma was certain in him and in herself. This was happening. This was right.
“Until tomorrow then, love,” he whispered, pressing one last kiss upon her cheek.
“Good night, Killian.”
His eyes lit up and he smiled at her use of his real name. She made a promise to herself that she would use it more often. He waited for her to go inside, and only when she’d done so did he finally walk away. Leaning against the wooden door, Emma sighed in relief and smiled.
This is the start of something good. Something true. Something… happy.
And with those final thoughts, Emma headed back to bed, and found that sleep came swiftly, bringing with it dreams she hoped would come to pass.
……………..
If I gave you every piece of me, I know that you could drop it Give you the chance, I know that you could take advantage once you got it If I open up my heart to you, I know that you could lock it Throw away the key and keep it there forever in your pocket
If I gave the opportunity to you, then would you blow it? If I was the greatest thing that happened to you, would you know it? If my love was like a flower, would you plant it, would you grow it? I might give you all my body, are you strong enough to hold it?
If I show you all my demons And we dive into the deep end Would we crash and burn like every time before? I would tell you all my secrets Wrap your arms around my weakness If the only other option's letting go
I'll stay vulnerable, yeah I'll stay vulnerable, yeah I'll stay vulnerable
If I hand you my emotion, would you even want to take it? If I give you all my trust now, would you fumble it and break it? If I let you cross my finish line, then would you wanna make it? I think I'm ready, won't you come and flip the switch and activate it?
If I show you all my demons And we dive into the deep end Would we crash and burn like every time before? I would tell you all my secrets Wrap your arms around my weakness If the only other option's letting go
I'll stay vulnerable, yeah I'll stay vulnerable, yeah I'll stay vulnerable
If I show you all my demons And we dive into the deep end Would we crash and burn like every time before? I would tell you all my secrets Wrap your arms around my weakness If the only other option's letting go
I'll stay vulnerable, yeah I'll stay vulnerable, yeah
If I show you all my demons And we dive into the deep end Would we crash and burn like every time before? (I'll stay vulnerable) I would tell you all my secrets Wrap your arms around my weakness If the only other option's letting go
(I'll stay vulnerable, yeah)
Post-Note: So, what did you think? Honestly, I had no intentions of writing this chapter right now. I knew the song needed to be in the mixtape, as I love it, and it fits so well with this series of CS love stories, but I have a number of other fics I am working on now that need attending to. Nevertheless, here we are, and luckily, this has proved to be the perfect palate cleanse for my other writing. My multichapter stories will be back soon. I’ve already started writing, and in the meantime, we all get an added little romantic bonus. Hope you enjoyed this dose of fluff, thank you all for reading, and know that I’m wishing you safe, healthy, and well. xE.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9,Part 10,Part 11, Part 12,Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24,Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31,Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38,Part 39,Part 40, Part 41, Part 42, Part 43, Part 44, Part 45,Part 46,Part 47, Part 48, Part 49, Part 50, Part 51, Part 52, Part 53,Part 54,Part 55, Part 56, Part 57, Part 58, Part 59, Part 60,Part 61,Part 62, Part 63, Part 64, Part 65, Part 66, Part 67, Part 68,Part 69,Part 70, Part 71, Part 72, Part 73, Part 74, Part 75,Part 76,Part 77, Part 78, Part 79, Part 80, Part 81, Part 82, Part 83,Part 84,Part 85, Part 86, Part 87, Part 88, Part 89, Part 90,Part 91,Part 92, Part 93, Part 94, Part 95, Part 96, Part 97, Part 98,Part 99,Part 100, Part 101, Part 102, Part 103,Part 104, Part 105,Part 106, Part 107,Part 108, Part 109, Part 110,Part 111, Part 112,Part 113, Part 114, Part 115,Part 116, Part 117, Part 118,Part 119,Part 120, Part 121, Part 122, Part 123,Part 124, Part 125,Part 126, Part 127, Part 128,Part 129,Part 130, Part 131,Part 132,Part 133, Part 134, Part 135, Part 136, Part 137, Part 138,Part 139,Part 140, Part 141, Part 142, Part 143, Part 144, Part 145,Part 146, Part 147, Part 148,Part 149, Part 150, Part 151,Part 152, Part 153, Part 154, Part 155, Part 156, Part 157, Part 158,Part 159, Part 160, Part 161, Part 162, Part 163, Part 164,Part 165, Part 166, Part 167, Part 168, Part 169, Part 170,Part 171,Part 172, Part 173, Part 174, Part 175, Part 176,Part 177, Part 178, Part 179 , Part 180, Part 181, Part 182, Part 183, Part 184, Part 185, Part 186, Part 187, Part 188, Part 189, Part 190, Part 191, Part 192, Part 193, Part 194, Part 195, Part 196
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searchingwardrobes · 4 years
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The Convenient Groom: 1/?
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Okay, I know what ya’ll are all thinking, and I agree: I don’t need another WIP! However, I woke up this morning with this idea, and I just had to write it. What’s more, I was looking for the perfect gift for @spartanguard​. You see, I missed her birthday last year. I got on tumblr, saw all these birthday wishes for her, and my heart sank. For some reason, I didn’t have her birthday on my list! I hated it because not only is she one of my favorite writers, but she is also an incredibly kind person who I have come to know as a wonderful fandom friend. So, @spartanguard​, I know it isn’t your birthday, but this fic is for you!
This fic has two inspirations: one, the Barenaked Ladies song “Alternative Girlfriend,” but mostly it’s a book I read called The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter. I normally avoid book aus because it feels way too close to plagiarism, but a Hallmark movie was made from the book and it was a HUGE disappointment. They made it an engagement of convenience instead of a marriage and basically got rid of all the steamy moments. It’s been forever since I read it, anyway, and this first chapter that came to me this morning has vast differences already. Anyhoo, I hope you like it @spartanguard​ !
Summary: (Is one even necessary? Haha!) Killian Jones just happens to be there when Emma Swan gets the phone call that changes everything: her fiance is leaving her at the altar. The thing is, it also could mean the end of her career. Convenient that Killian has nothing better to do that day. Convenient that he’s secretly in love with her. Not that Emma has to know that.
Rating: M
Words: 2,000 and some change in this chapter
Also on Ao3
Tagging the usuals: @snowbellewells​ @kmomof4​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ @distant-rose​ @welllpthisishappening​ @optomisticgirl​ @ohmakemeahercules​ @teamhook​ @bethacaciakay​ @xhookswenchx​ @winterbaby89​ @delirious-latenight-laughs​ @resident-of-storybrooke​ @vvbooklady1256​ @thislassishooked​ @hollyethecurious​ @nikkiemms​ @jennjenn615​ @stahlop​ @snidgetsafan​ @scientificapricot​ @shireness-says​ @spartanguard​  @wellhellotragic​ @tiganasummertree​ @branlovestowrite​ @let-it-raines​ @carpedzem​ @profdanglaisstuff​
Killian Jones would never forget the first day he met Emma Swan. He’d been focused intently on the rocking chair that the Nolans had ordered for their new baby, and AC/DC’s “Back in Black” was booming throughout his workshop. He always worked to classic rock; it put him in the best creative zone.
Suddenly, the shop was plunged into silence, and he straightened in surprise. Standing there, with the cord to his portable speakers dangling from her hand, was a veritable goddess with anger sparking from her light green eyes. She was dressed in a simple pair of dark wash jeans topped with a cream blouse, yet her trim figure still drew his eyes. He’d never had a thing for blondes, but her golden hair had him re-thinking that. She had caught him so completely off guard, he stood there gaping like a mere boy.
“I’ve got a client upstairs trying to pour her damn heart out, but I can barely hear myself think with this noise rattling the walls.”
Ah, so this was the new tenant in the office upstairs. Killian smirked and sauntered into her personal space. “Well, love, I’ve been told I’m rather good at rattling the walls.”
He hardly knew what had possessed him to say such a thing. Before Milah, he was well known for his charms, but that had been years ago.
The blonde narrowed her eyes at his innuendo, though the blush upon her cheeks sent a far different message. “Not your love, buddy.” She tossed the cords at his chest, and one of them slapped him in the jaw. “Get yourself some damn earbuds.”
She strode towards the door, her high heeled boots tapping loudly on the concrete floor. “It’s Killian Jones, by the way,” he called out after her, “Ms . . . “
“Emma Swan,” she tossed over her shoulder, “and it’s doctor.”
He saw her often after that. It was difficult not to. Storybrooke was a small town, and they shared office space, after all. Their building on Main was also right across the street from Granny’s diner, the only place for a decent cup of coffee and a cheeseburger. Or grilled cheese and onion rings in Swan’s case. They’d crossed paths during their lunch break often enough for him to know her regular order. Yet to say Emma Swan had walls was an understatement, and just casual conversation was a challenge. One he had a rather enjoyable time tackling, honestly.
Yet she never came into his wood shop again. Until one day six months ago, to put in an order. She had stood there in his lobby where he met with clients and rough sketched their custom orders looking uncharacteristically nervous, her hands twisting at her waist. He had noticed the diamond sparkling on her left ring finger early on, and she fiddled with it now. He had never met the man who had given it to her, which he had always thought was odd. Especially considering how passionate Emma was about her career. Even stranger, Mary Margaret had never met him either, and Emma rented the loft from her and David. No one even knew the man’s name. Something was off about that, if you asked Killian. Not that anyone would.
“Can you make a wedding chuppa?” she blurted out.
“Aye,” he said as he leaned against the front counter, “I made one for Marco and Granny when they wed last fall.”
“Good,” Emma breathed out, but then her forehead creased with worry. “Marco’s Jewish, isn’t he? Is it okay to use a chuppa if you aren’t Jewish?”
“Hmmm,” Killian contemplated, rubbing at his chin, “is your fiance Jewish?”
“No,” Emma said with a shake of her head, “but we’re getting married outside, and I wanted some sort of focal point, you know?”
“Well, then,” he told her honestly, “I do think a chuppa has religious significance, so maybe an arbor or archway would be more appropriate? I’ve done those as well . . . “
He had come around the counter then and led her to the sitting area where he brainstormed with clients. He had shown her photos of an arbor he had made for his friends Eric and Ariel’s beach wedding, and several other options online. He found out many things that day: the location of the wedding (the gardens behind the old mansion on the outskirts of town), the flowers (middlemist roses), the color scheme (pale pink and wine red), and the date of the nuptials (late June). Yet he still didn’t know who this mysterious fiance was. Odd.
“He doesn’t like the attention from my career,” Emma had attempted to explain, twisting her engagement ring around her finger, “and I get it. There would be a lot of scrutiny on him and our relationship.”
Killian nodded. Everyone knew about Dr. Swan’s bestseller Seriously, Ladies? which supposedly guided any woman on how to avoid disastrous relationships. Women swore by it, and Emma also had a blog and a podcast. The media was salivating over her upcoming marriage, including the identity of Mr. Right himself.
“And I need your discretion on this,” Emma continued. “The media doesn’t know the wedding date yet, and I -”
Killian placed his hand on hers. “You can trust me, Emma. I won’t tell a soul about this order, much less when or where it will be delivered.”
He had worried that his word wouldn’t be enough, yet Emma had deflated with relief. “Thank you. I know this is a weird situation.”
“You deserve happiness, Swan.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “How do you know that? You know nothing about me.”
Killian had shrugged. “You’re somewhat of an open book, love.”
It was true. Despite her confidence, he could recognize another wounded heart when he saw one. Whoever this fiance was, he wasn’t doing a very good job of healing it, either, at least in Killian’s opinion. Otherwise her eyes wouldn’t still hold that haunted look.
The order meant, for both good and bad, that Killian saw Emma Swan more often. It was good in that he got to know her better, saw her smile, heard her laugh. It was bad for one horrible, terrible reason. For him, at least. Six months was long enough for him to fall in love with her - the woman he was making a wedding arbor for.
Killian sighed, his heart twisting painfully, as he covered the gorgeous arbor of carved mahogany with a moving blanket. Today was the day. For him, it felt more like the day of a funeral than a wedding. This man, whoever he was, better love her the way she deserved. It was all he could hope for now.
“Killian, what the hell do you think you’re doing!” He whirled from the arbor to see Emma marching angrily across his workshop. The scowl on her face was identical to the one almost a year ago when he first met her. “Why did you send the moving crew away empty handed? Please tell me you finished it.”
“Of course I finished it, Swan,” he retorted, unable to keep the bite out of his voice. Wasn’t she supposed to be giddy, flushed with eagerness, floating on air? Instead, she looked so stressed he feared she might give herself a heart attack.
“Then why didn’t you send it to the mansion? Are you being difficult on purpose?”
Killian tilted his head and grinned saucily at her. He couldn’t help it, teasing her was just too much fun. “Though getting you riled up is rather fun, I wouldn’t do that to you on your special day. I just didn’t trust anyone but myself to deliver it.”
“Oh,” she said lamely, biting on her lower lip.
“I was just about to load it up, actually. Want to see it?”
“If it’s not too much trouble . . .”
“Of course not.”
He pulled the moving blanket off, revealing the dark wood with intricate carvings of flowers, vines, and swans. Though the occasion it celebrated tore at his heart, he had never put so much work into a piece. He poured the beauty of the woman it represented into every detail. Emma’s eyes lit up as she ran her hands over the woodwork. The caramel stain brought out the natural beauty of the wood, but it would also make the delicate blush of the roses pop once the florist draped the arbor with them.
“It’s beautiful, Killian,” she told him softly, “exactly what I told you I wanted. More, actually.”
“Thank you,” he managed to tell her around the sudden lump in his throat.
The moment was broken by the ringing of Emma’s phone. She fished it out of her jeans pocket and pressed it to her ear. Killian busied himself covering the arbor and preparing it for transport while Emma paced across his workshop.
“Walsh, are you insane?” he heard her snap, “Our wedding is only six hours away!”
Killian tried not to eavesdrop, but as he glanced Emma’s way, he saw her face grow pale.
“Seriously? You’re doing this to me now?” Though her voice was harsh, her body trembled as she sank to an empty crate next to the table saw.
Killian frowned. He didn’t like how this sounded.
“These are all things you could have told me yesterday!” Emma’s voice rose. “Or better yet, last week, last month.”
She glanced over at Killian, and her face turned bright red. She shifted so that her back was to him. She lowered her voice as she spoke into her phone, but Killian still heard her.
“Is there someone else?”
Killian’s jaw clenched as he saw her shoulders fall and then begin to shake. The bastard.
Her voice was broken as she choked out her next words. “Well I hope you’re very happy together.”
She hung up and dropped her cell phone. Killian winced as it hit the cement floor. She covered her face with both hands and wept silently. He crossed the room and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
“I’m so sorry.”
“What am I going to do?” she wept. “Oh, God! What am I going to do?” She turned to Killian, her eyes wide and frantic as she clutched at the front of his shirt. “We invited the media to the wedding! It was the only way to keep them from hounding us during our engagement. Now they’ll get an even better story - relationship guru Dr. Emma Swan gets jilted at the altar. I’m ruined! My career is over!”
She was on her feet, pacing the floor, tugging at the ends of her hair. He wanted to tell her she was overreacting, but he couldn’t lie. In this day and age of cancel culture and internet trolls, she would be ruined.
“You’re going to think I’m an opportunist,” she continued, “but my wedding day was also going to be the kick off for my next book. Tomorrow they’re announcing it’s release.”
“I’m not judging you, Swan,” he assured her. “What’s the new book?”
“Ladies, It’s More Than a Wedding,” Emma said sheepishly, “about how to plan for your marriage and not just the wedding.”
Emma groaned and dropped her head against the nearest wall. Killian was silent for a long moment, rolling an idea around in his head. She might shoot him down, call him crazy, but it was worth a shot.
“No one knows who your fiance is, right?”
She looked at him curiously. “No.”
“So . . . couldn’t anyone stand in for him?”
Emma’s mouth dropped open. “Are you crazy? Once the media knew it was a farce, things would be even worse. I have interviews lined up already. A promotion tour for the book. It’s about more than just the wedding.” She barked out a laugh. “Isn’t that ironic?”
Killian leveled her with a steady gaze. “What if it wasn’t a farce?”
She blinked. “You mean . . . like, actually marry someone else? Today?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
Emma let out another sarcastic chuckle. “Who the hell would agree to that?”
Killian wet his lips nervously. “I would.”
Emma shook her head in surprise. “You?”
He shrugged. “Well, I’m here, and I have nothing better to do today.”
“We’re talking about getting married, Killian. You know, commitment? Till death do us part?”
“Well,” Killian said slowly, shoving his hands in his jean pockets, “you need to stay married to promote your book, right? What are we talking? Six months? A year, at most?”
Emma’s brow furrowed as if she were contemplating it. But then she shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m even considering this! It would never work! How would it look if I got divorced in a year?”
“Or an annulment. You could blame it on me. I cheated on you or something. Make me out to be the bad guy.” He chuckled sardonically. “You might even get another best seller out of it. Dump His Cheating Ass, Ladies.”
He managed to get a real laugh out of her at that, and he smiled. Her mirth was short-lived, however. “But why would you do that? Tie yourself to me for a year, let your own reputation be damaged? What’s in it for you?”
I’m in love with you.
“I could use your help. With my family. Professional help.”
Emma narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “Okaaay. How so?”
“My brother and his wife. Their marriage is a little rocky.” LIe. Liam and Elsa were relationship goals if he ever saw it. “I think it’s because her sister Anna and her husband Kristoff had to move in with them.” Another lie. They had moved in, but no two sisters were closer than Anna and Elsa.
“So why don’t they just make an appointment?”
“They, uh, have this thing about therapy. They think it’s a sign of weakness. Or an embarrassment. Anyway, but if you were around, you could casually help them out. I think you and Elsa would hit it off.”
“So you want to marry me in exchange for free counseling for your brother and his wife?”
She sounded skeptical, and naturally so. He tried to play it off. “My brother means everything to me. He’s all the family I have left. Plus, my niece and nephew deserve a steady home life, unlike what we had as kids.”
Emma and Killian just stood there looking intently at one another. He held his breath, fully expecting her to call him crazy and walk out the door. Her gaze darted to the arbor, now ready to be loaded onto the trunk.
“It would be a shame not to use that beautiful piece you made.”
Killian tried to hold back his smile and failed. “Consider it my wedding gift to my bride.”
“Okay, groom,” she told him with her hand outstretched for him to shake, “it’s a deal.”
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intothewickedwood · 3 years
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Top 5 OUAT episodes and top 5 OUAT locations
Thank you :D! 
Woah! This is difficult! But that makes ot all the more fun!
Top 5 OUAT Episodes
1. 1x10 7:15 AM
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Love this episode. Always watch it on my birthday. It’s just so romantic. I love David and Mary Margaret’s yearning for each other and I find the scenes so cool. It takes me through so many emotions.
2. 1x03 Snow Falls
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Favourite meeting for a ship ever. Mary Margaret being lonely in the present and longing for love breaks my heart. Emma and MM trying to show Henry that his book isn’t real and then David waking up! Love it! Their adventures in the EF with them saving eachother? Freaking epic! Beautiful lovestory!
3. 1x17 Hat Trick
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Loooove this episode. I love how dark it was. It has the perfect recipe to make me obsess over it. Loved Jefferson, loved Emma and MM looking out for eachother and being badasses together. And I will never forget Emma’s “I can’t lose that. I cannot lose my family.” The Mama Snow feels! And it really showed just how much MM meant to her.
4. 1x01 Pilot
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A classic! The perfect opening to a series, filled with adventure, romance and mystery. Pulled me in from the beginning and left me wanting more. Such a great introduction to the show and to the characters. I get so nostalgic when I watch it!
5. 1x22 A Land Without Magic
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Epic from start to finish! Love Charming’s adventure. Love Emma trying to process the truth all while having no time to process it at all. Epic Charming and Rumple sword fight. Epic dragon battles! Just so enthralling to watch. A perfect ending to an amazing season. 
Top 5 OUAT Locations
1. The Storybrooke Forest
2. Mary Margeret’s Loft
3. The Nolan’s House
4. The Enchanted Forest’s Woods
5. Neverland’s Jungle
Realms
1. Storybrooke
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2. The Enchanted Forest
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3. Neverland
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4. Wonderland
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5. Arendelle
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lilacmoon83 · 5 years
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Dreaming Out Loud
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Also on Fanfiction.net and A03
Chapter 109: The Summons, Pt. 1
One Day Ago
The tan colored Sedan drove through the backwoods of Maine. The man in the driver's seat was known in his home city of Boston as Detective Landon Griffin, or he was, before he took early retirement due to a botched investigation a few years ago. But something very intriguing had brought him back into the game, unofficially, of course.
He had received an e-mail from an old friend; a reporter by the name of Derek Jefferies. He had distanced himself from Derek over the years, as his friend had his own career missteps, but they maintained casual contact. So when he received a suspicious e-mail that stated if he didn't hear from his friend within three days to suspect foul play, Landon had naturally wondered what trouble his friend had found himself in this time.
He decided to investigate himself first by coming to the longitude and latitude coordinates provided to him by his friend to check things out. He wasn't sure the e-mail alone was enough evidence to get the authorities involved yet, especially since his friend had a history of erratic behavior. He also had no family or ties to any communities, so he needed actual evidence to present a missing person's case. So here he was, literally in the middle of nowhere, and cursing Derek to high heaven. It seemed that his supposed friend had either provided the wrong location or had sent him on a wild goose chase. He sighed and parked the car on the side of the road before getting out and casually looking around.
"Should have known...damn fool always was a bit off," the retired detective cursed, as he got back into the car. Then suddenly, right before his eyes, the trees and woods began to move and recede. He blinked, wondering if he was hallucinating and his mouth dropped ajar, as a town popped up literally out of no where. And if he didn't know any better, he would have thought he was high or drunk. He stumbled out of the car and stared up at a clock tower, which his car was now parked in front of. He scarcely could believe his eyes, as people appeared around him and more fantastically, castles popped up amid the trees in the distance. He turned in circles, examining his new surroundings and truly wondered if he had somehow stumbled into the freaking Twilight Zone. He swallowed thickly and stared at everything that was now before him.
"What the hell is going on?"
~*~
As they appeared back in the shop, Belle and Rumple looked around in confusion.
"Weren't we just on the beach?" she asked.
"Yes…" Rumple replied, as he searched his memories and realized the gap.
"Then how...I don't even remember coming back here," she said.
"Pan…" Rumple growled.
"But we didn't even see him," Belle admonished.
"Oh yes we did...and he wiped our memories, I'm certain of it," Rumple hissed.
"He's...he's that powerful?" Belle asked with trepidation.
"Oh yes...which means if he did that, then there is something he doesn't want us to know," Rumple replied.
"Then we should go back there and confront him," Belle stated.
"No...he'll just wipe our memories again and send us back here. This is his game...he loves to play games," he responded.
"What are we going to do?" she asked.
"We play along with his game. He obviously wants to make some grand entrance and will probably do it tonight at the summons," he replied.
"You can't keep this from the others though," she warned.
"And I'm still waiting for you to tell me how you know so much about Pan," she added. He cursed inwardly. He didn't want anyone to know about his connection to that demon...but telling them would probably take some wind out of Pan's sails so to speak.
"I'll tell you...everyone. Let's convene with them at the hospital," he agreed.
"Oh, Snow texted me and they're home already. Persephone healed her so she'd be able to attend tonight. We can go to the loft," Belle replied. He nodded.
"Why on Earth are they still living at the loft? They have a castle now," he mentioned. She smirked.
"So do you...but we still stayed at the mansion last night. Storybrooke is truly home...for all of us," she reminded. He couldn't refute that.
"Agreed," he relented, as they locked the shop up and began the short trek to the loft.
~*~
Snow stretched sleepily and heard the baby whimper from his bassinet beside their bed. It had only been a couple hours since he had last been up, but she didn't care. Neither of them could get enough of him and even though she told him he didn't have to, David had gotten up with her each time.
"I'll bring him to you, my love," he whispered, as he kissed her cheek and she smiled warmly at him. It was never lost on her how lucky she was to have a man like him. David's face lit up, as he peered down at their newborn, whom they still had to name.
"Come on little man...let's go see Mommy," he cooed, as he carried him over to her and then helped Snow shrug out of her nightgown. She took him in her arms with a giddy smile and put him to her breast. He showed no trouble in latching at the hospital and with Artemis' ability to be there instantly, they felt comfortable in taking him home.
Though they weren't sure how much longer the loft was going to be home. They loved their little loft and would be sad to leave it behind. But they knew they needed more room and Snow's father had insisted they come live in his palace now that it was an option. Snow had one set of very fond memories of growing up there, even if there were times her former step-mother Ravenna and her father's court made it difficult. But no matter what any of them had ever said, she had very fond memories of Eli always being there and with him doting on her. And not in the creepy way that she realized Leopold did. She still had that set of memories, but could no longer look upon them with much fondness. She still recalled fondness for the memories she had of Eva as her mother, but ultimately, growing up with her real mother, real father, and step-father were the memories that were now dominate. She also still had many memories of growing up with Regina as her step-mother and could still think about those fondly, even though she now knew that Regina had secretly loathed her. Still...Regina was clearly changing before their eyes. It was slow, but she was seeing glimpses of the woman she used to be coming through and she hoped with all her heart that she could become that woman again.
Snow gazed down at him, as he nursed and she looked at her husband fondly, who was just as mesmerized by their baby as she was.
"We still need to give him a name," she mentioned.
"I know...I was looking through this name book that Belle gave us earlier. I'm just not sure any of them are right for him," he replied.
"We'll find the one," she assured.
"Are you ready for this? I mean tonight?" he asked curiously. She scoffed.
"I'm not sure how all this is even happening. I mean...all the realms are here now...and just as they are," she replied. He sighed.
"I know...it's a bit hard to wrap my head around too," he said, as he looked around.
"And as much as I know we'll enjoy having a bedroom door again, I'll miss this little place," he added. She smiled.
"Me too...it's where I fell in love and my new husband moved in with me," she said fondly.
"You know, when I was just Mary Margaret," she added. He smiled and kissed her hair.
"I love that you have your memories back, but I'll admit, those seem like such simple times now," he admitted.
"Mmm...I think I'll miss Storybrooke just being Storybrooke," she agreed.
"Snow...if you want to live in Storybrooke, I'm sure your father will understand. I mean, obviously we need to look for a bigger place, but if a castle isn't what you want...then we don't have to go," he said. She nodded.
"I know...I know Daddy would understand, but I actually do. Despite Ravenna and the horrible people in my father's court, I have a set of memories that is very good living there and when we took back the Kingdom, I dreamed of living there with my husband and raising our baby," she replied. He smiled fondly.
"We may not be raising Emma there, but we can raise this little one there," she said. He smiled.
"Then I guess this family is moving, after we get through tonight, that is," he said. She sighed.
"Like things weren't complicated enough before," she replied and he couldn't disagree.
"We have a lot to figure out for sure, but we have a lot of family there to do it with us," he reminded. She smiled and nodded, as he kissed her tenderly again. The baby was asleep again, so after they put him down, they too went back to sleep, hoping for a few more hours before it was time to attend that evening's summons.
~*~
Henry looked around his mother's castle with wonder later that day, as he walked beside her. Emma and Neal followed them and shared a smile at the look on his face. Even Regina smiled back at them, enjoying his mirth as much as they were. Slowly but surely, they were figuring out this co-parent thing and calmer tempers were prevailing over all the hurt and pain there had been. And it was all because one little boy had brought them together.
"So...is this where I'm gonna live now?" Henry asked.
"Well...that's up to you, sweetheart," Regina answered, though there was a catch in her throat. It was her worst fear that he was going to decide that he wouldn't want to live with her anymore.
"What about Mom Emma and Dad?" he asked. They exchanged a glance.
"Uh well...we'll be as close by as you want us, kid," Neal replied.
"They'll be here...if they want to be," Regina responded, as she looked at them and they smiled.
"Yeah...a room in a palace is probably better than Granny's" Neal agreed.
"Yeah and I will probably split my time between here and Mom and Dad's new castle. I'm sure we'll all have rooms there too," Emma said, looking at Regina when she said it. And Regina couldn't be unhappy about that now. As she was slowly letting go of her hate and idea of revenge, she was finding that family was replacing that and filling the void. And though she was loathe to admit it at times, she liked it. Which was about to become very important, as she learned upon stepping into her Throne room and finding Leopold sitting upon it.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Emma asked, the first to voice her disgust at him.
"This is my castle...I am alive, which means I am still King. Alas, it appears that my wife Cora is still deceased and my other ex-wife has no claim to this Throne any longer," Leopold replied.
"That is my Throne...I earned it," Regina hissed.
"No...you murdered me to get it," he corrected.
"So...you're going to play King again? Maybe find another child bride to ruin?" Emma growled.
"I am a King...and without an heir. The one I had really isn't mine, now is she?" he questioned.
"No...and she'll never be anything to you. Even you're smart enough to know that if you come near my mother...you'll get a one way trip straight back to the Underworld," Emma warned.
"Duly noted...now get out of my castle," he snapped, as a few guards closed in on them. Neal pulled Henry back and held his hand up.
"We'll go peacefully…" Neal assured.
"The hell we will…" Regina hissed.
"For now...we will. This isn't the time to discuss any kind of action," Neal insisted, as she glanced at their son and relaxed. They turned and left peacefully, but it was clear that this was far from over.
~*~
Evening came and carriages began to arrive at King Eli's palace. Persephone looked down into the night and then turned back to her husband. She was garbed in an elaborate lavender gown that was sleeveless and a diamond necklace, earrings, and tiara completed her ensemble.
"You look beautiful…" Hades mentioned, as he looked very smart and dashing in his formal black velvet tunic, which had light blue embroidery and black formal pants and boots to complete his dress wear.
"Hmm?" she asked, obviously too nervous to hear his compliment and he gently put his hands on her bare shoulders.
"It's going to be fine," he assured.
"You don't know that. This entire night could be a complete nightmare. We really have no idea what attitudes everyone is walking in here with. And need I remind you that Cronus' ball was not a smashing success at all," she replied. He chuckled.
"Cronus couldn't throw a good party if his life depended upon it. I mean, he didn't even have a chocolate fountain and we do. It's going to make the party," he joked, but she was too worked up to appreciate his usual quips.
"Listen...I have a contingency plan. I am ready at a moment's notice to snap my fingers and get our family out of here if it comes to that. And Hephaestus is now waiting in the wings, at your command, with a completed supply of forged lightning bolts on full display," he reminded. She relaxed slightly at that. Even Frollo would be careful about making any rash moves tonight with her so directly ready to smite him down. Even the Chernabog had limits and her powers were definitely among those limits. She took a deep breath and he put his arm around her waist.
"After tonight, everyone will know why they are now here and how they can move forward. Most will adapt and we will be ready for the troublemakers," he assured.
"I hope you're right, my love," she lamented, as they exited their chambers and readied themselves for this summons to commence.
~*~
David stood by the window in their new chambers in Eli's palace. Their chambers was twice the size of the loft's lower level and there was a large adjoining room that Persephone and Demeter had somehow found time to magical turn into a warm, inviting nursery. He held their son and gazed out from the balcony. It would be the same balcony that they would present their son from to all the Kingdoms. It would have been what they had done with Emma had it been an option. And they were still wrapping their minds around the fact that it actually was an option. They thought they would be introducing their son at a low key event held at Granny's. And to be honest, they would have probably preferred that to this, for they could have never predicted this turn of events. It was surreal looking out at the landscape before him now. From this vantage point, they could see the clock tower. Their palace was probably the closest to Storybrooke, which they liked. Regina's palace was fairly close as well. He looked out toward the Harbor and saw the glimmering Emerald City in the distance, as well as the island of Neverland, which they had been warned about. Castles of all the other Kingdoms now dotted the landscape in their hidden bubble of Maine. They were still waiting on word on whether or not there was a barrier again, but even if there was, they still had a problem with Circe's outsiders in town. In a way, it was amazing, but he knew it opened up a whole new host of dangers as well.
"Well, little man, this may be a very new world, but I promise you're not going to be in alone. I couldn't promise that to your sister...but I'm going to keep that promise to you," he whispered.
"And we'll keep that promise together," he heard Snow say and he turned to find her in a gorgeous, shimmering silver gown. It was sleeveless and she wore elbow length satin silver gloves. The entire ensemble was completed with her tiara.
"Wow…" he uttered. It never ceased to amaze him how she could always take his breath away, no matter what she was wearing. But this particular gown was spectacular.
"It's a bit showy, isn't it?" she asked uncertainly.
"No...you look incredible," he answered, still in awe of her.
"Mom said that in an event like this that elaborate is better and I must say I'll never get tired of seeing you in this," she replied, as she admired his outfit. It was his formal red coat and the same ensemble he had been wearing when he awakened her with true love's kiss. In both realities.
"That's definitely something we'll have to get used to," she mentioned, as she looked out at their new view.
"I know...as incredible as it is, it comes with a lot of unknowns that we don't need," he said wearily, as she cuddled against him and peered down at their tiny son.
"But...like you said, we'll do it together," he added, as he pressed a kiss to her hair, which was back to being short, but not as short as it once was. When the original curse had broken, she had started to grow it out again and it was currently styled in a short bob that was just below her ears. They heard a knock at their door and turned, as Persephone came in.
"It's time," she told them. They nodded and followed her and Hades, as they began the short trek to the winding stairway that would lead them down into the atrium.
"We have a problem...and I haven't been able to find you," Regina said immediately, as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"We were getting ready and I had to nurse the baby," Snow replied. The former Queen sighed.
"I know and that's why I was looking for you and your husband," Regina said, directing her attention to Persephone.
"What's going on?" the Goddess asked.
"We went to Regina's castle earlier with Henry to show him around and apparently, Leopold has decided that it's his Throne again," Emma replied.
"That makes sense. He is technically alive again," Hades stated, receiving a glare from Regina.
"I didn't say I agree with it. He's not fit for the Throne, but technically, it's his. There's not really rules for coming back from the head since it shouldn't be possible, but here we are," he added.
"He's right...there are no rules for that. He's alive again and can take the Throne. He can choose to keep you as his Queen or absolve your marriage. I'm guessing he'll do the latter," Persephone agreed.
"He can't do that! I married into that Throne and I suffered through being married to him, at least in one reality, and I earned my place on that Throne," Regina growled.
"And technically he did die, at least in one reality. Right there, that invalidates your marriage and knowing his crooked court, they'll choose to go that route so he can remarry some poor child to produce a viable heir," Hades added.
"He's right, but we will sort this out. Perhaps a different Throne is right for you," Persephone proposed.
"A different Throne?" Emma asked.
"In one reality, you were step-mother to my daughter. That technically makes you Queen Mother to her," Persephone replied.
"No...that would be you. You're her real mother," Regina corrected. Persephone nodded.
"I am...but I already have another Throne to rule from," she reminded. Hades smirked.
"The highest Throne, my wife...Goddess of the heavens," Hades boasted.
"Stop," she chided.
"So Leopold is coming here tonight?" Snow asked. Emma nodded.
"Yeah...but don't worry, I think I put the fear in him if he tries anything," she replied.
"Oh he won't be that bold. Slinking like a snake in the grass is more his style. He knows if he were to make a move tonight, he'd be ash like that," Hades said, snapping his fingers for effect.
"He's sneaky...he used to impart his "wisdom" to me all the time, until Persephone's mother finally clued me in on what he was really after. He may come here tonight, but then he will be explicitly banned from my castle," Eli added.
"Seeing you two agree on anything is still uber weird," Emma commented, making Hades chuckle.
"We don't always see eye to eye, but we both love our family and want them protected," he said.
"And for that reason, I can tolerate you, but don't get the idea that I actually like you," Eli retorted.
"Perish the thought," Hades quipped in return.
"Sweetie...are you okay?" Persephone asked her daughter, as she noticed the pensive look on her face. Snow forced a smile.
"I'm fine," she assured, as she held her newborn close.
"Honey...if this is too much too soon, say the word. I know we can handle all of this if you want a quiet evening," Persephone soothed.
"A quiet evening sounds nice, but no, I want to do this. I need to be here. We're ushering in a brand new era with a lot of unknowns and I am going to be here to see it," Snow assured. Eli smiled and put his hands on her shoulders.
"You are my heir, sweet pea, but more importantly, the greatest thing in my life," he said, making Snow start to tear up.
"I know that there is a version of me that you didn't know and that was a very angry man," he began.
"But you were changing, even before all this. And then I got the chance for you to be my Daddy," she said. He smiled.
"And despite the fact that it was a spell that probably shouldn't have happened, I have never been so grateful for it," he replied. Snow smiled at that.
"Me either. There were a lot of great things during that spell," she agreed.
"I just wish that I had been stronger and had the courage I needed to dismiss that horrible court and have my marriage to Ravenna absolved. I'm sorry for the way you were treated," he said.
"Daddy...that's not your fault and you were in a terrible position. You were trying to keep the peace and prevent war. And despite how they treated me, I never doubted how much you love me," Snow assured, as she hugged him and Eli nearly began sobbing at that.
"Do you want to hold your grandson again?" she asked.
"You know I do," he replied, as he cradled him. With that, they began to receive the arriving Kingdoms, just as Rumple and Belle arrived.
"Snow…" Belle said, as they shared a hug.
"You look beautiful," Snow said, admiring her golden dress.
"So do you...I love this color on you," she agreed. Rumple rolled his eyes impatiently.
"Belle…" he said.
"Oh right, we have something to tell all of you," she said.
"What is it?" Persephone asked.
"It's Pan…" Rumple answered.
"You mean dear old dad?" Hades asked.
"Dammit…" Rumple cursed.
"Say what now?!" Neal exclaimed.
"Never mind that for now...I planned to explain all that. But I think I've already run into him," Rumple admonished.
"Well, you're still alive so it couldn't have gone that bad," Hades quipped.
"Except that we don't remember and Rumple thinks he wiped our memories," Belle corrected.
"Which means he's up to something," Rumple added.
"Whatever it is...he'll get a lightning bolt thrown at him if he comes near this family," Persephone assured, as the processional began. Thomas, Ella, and Thomas' father Mitchell were first in, having also regained their Kingdom. Midas, Frederick, and Abigail were next as well. Eric and Ariel arrived, since the Maritime Kingdom was among the realms united. Next, they saw a blonde woman garbed in a pinkish silver gown, with a wand walk down the aisle next. She bowed respectfully.
"I am Glinda...the good witch of the North and ruler of the Emerald City. And this is my apprentice...Dorothy," she introduced.
"Welcome Glinda," Persephone greeted, as the two women moved off to the side and the next guests approached. An older man in golden robes and a tall hat approached, with a man in blue robes flanking him on one side and a person garbed in armor on the other side. They bowed to Persephone.
"I am the Emperor of China. This is my adviser, Chi-Fu, and my most valiant warrior...Mulan," he said, as the warrior removed her helmet.
"Cool...Mulan is real too…" Henry whispered to his father and Neal couldn't help but chuckle. Following them, was an older man in white robes, with a white turban and a young woman, with long dark hair, dressed in a blue cropped top and harem pants.
"I am the Sultan of Agrabah and this is my daughter, Princess Jasmine," he announced.
"This is so cool…" Henry gushed, as Emma and Regina smiled at him. Next, it was David's turn to be surprised, as he saw people that he knew.
"Your Majesties...I am Queen Elsa of Arendelle. This is my sister Princess Anna and my brother-in-law, Kristoff, Prince Consort," the blonde introduced.
"Kristoff…" David said in surprise.
"David…" Kristoff called, also in surprise.
"You know him?" Snow asked.
"Old friend...but I also know her, but obviously not who she really was. Princess Anna," he said slyly. Anna smiled.
"Nice to see you too, just a shepherd, David," she teased, as they moved along, but he was certain they would be able to catch up later.
Next, another couple approached and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesties, I am King Arthur of Camelot and this is my Queen, Guinevere," he introduced, as Persephone nodded curtly and the man caught Hades' stare boring into him, which made him suddenly very nervous, as they moved off to the side.
Cronus was next, along with Deimos and Phobos.
"Why is he here?" Hades growled.
"At ease, son...Deimos will be on his best behavior this evening," Cronus assured, as he turned his attention to Snow and David.
"Congratulations to you both on the arrival of your tiny Prince," he offered, as they acknowledged his pleasantries.
"If he steps even an inch toward Snow…" Hades warned.
"Don't get your panties in a twist, Your Highness. I would not betray the orders of my Lord Cronus," Deimos quipped, as they dispersed with the others that had arrived. But if Cronus wasn't bad enough already, Leopold waltzed into the castle, followed by Frollo.
"Neither of you are welcome here. Get out," Eli spat.
"I am once again King of my Kingdom and I believe all the heads of state were summoned," Leopold countered, as he made his way to join the other royals.
"And I have taken over as head of my state as well. The Cathedral is mine now," Frollo announced.
"One wrong move, Chernabog and you'll see a test of my full power," Persephone warned. Frollo smirked.
"Do not worry, Your Majesty...I, too, am on my best behavior this evening," he replied, as his eyes rested on Snow.
"Congratulations on your new arrival," he said, as she held the baby close to her chest. They received a few more Kingdoms and soon, everyone was decidedly present.
"Now that everyone is here...I can explain everything and answer all the questions anyone may have," Persephone announced. But, as she prepared to go on, the castle doors slammed open again and there were gasps of surprise. Rumple was expecting Pan...but it wasn't him.
"It can't be…" Eli uttered, as he stared at the person that had interrupted.
"But she's dead…" Snow said.
"Apparently not," Hades replied, as Queen Ravenna strolled into the castle, her beautiful face marred with an evil smirk.
"Sorry I'm late…" she announced, as shock rippled through the entire chamber...
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snowbellewells · 5 years
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Run to Me (in the Dead of Night)
Here we are again!  I hope you are still enjoying this story and ready to see how things begin to wrap up.  I apologize again for leaving you without an update last week.  However, after this there should only be one more full chapter and an epilogue, and I aim to have them both to you on time!!  Thanks so much for your patience, for reading in the first place, and for all of your lovely feedback!!
(And thank you as always to @wingedlioness for this gorgeous story banner she made - I’m still in love with it! As well as the chapter art she contributed.  You have one more of hers yet to see, either next week or in the epilogue...)
Enjoy!!
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chapter twelve ~ when the smoke clears
The following morning, after the dust had settled so to speak, found Emma waking early, not having rested terribly well between worry for Henry, attempting to process all that had happened the day before, and missing her wolf man’s warmth beside her in bed to help her rest peacefully, after growing used to the solid comfort of his presence over the past few nights spent in their temporary hideaway. She had returned to her parents’ loft and the bedroom she’d occupied as Mary Margaret’s roommate before the curse had broken - feeling she needed to provide Henry with as much stability and family around him as possible after the painful upheaval and loss he had just endured. However, she could already tell that lingering in a bedroom of her parents’ like an errant teenager while Killian slept alone on his ship was only going to work for her for so long; now that she had found the One meant to lie beside her for the rest of her life, remaining apart seemed a needless trial that held no appeal.
The sun hadn’t even fully risen, but she needed to see that her son was okay. Emma’s heart was troubled for Henry as she crawled out from under her covers and padded barefoot across the floor and down the hall toward the bedroom that had been set aside for her son once he had moved in as well once the extent of Regina’s villainy came to light. Pushing at the door lightly, and momentarily relieved to find it unlocked and not even fully latched, Emma meant only to peek in and see that her baby was still resting as she hoped. After losing the woman who had raised him yesterday - and in a genuinely stunning moment of selfless sacrifice at that - Emma would have understood if he hadn’t been able to sleep at all. She wouldn’t have even been shocked if Henry had needed to scream and shout, tear this room apart and rail at the unfairness of his adoptive mother seeming to finally realize just how much Henry meant to her, right before traumatically leaving him forever. Instead, however, the room was perfectly neat (as uncharacteristic for an 11-year-old boy as it ever was); the only things not tidily in order his storybook open on his desk with a notebook and pencil and some blank white drawing paper beside it, where Henry usually kept them, and the rumpled sheets and covers atop his bed.
However, once Emma fully set foot in the room, her “mom” radar went off almost immediately. The room was completely empty; her son wasn’t there, and hadn’t been for some time, if the cool sheets beneath that mound of tangled bedding were any indication. Her heart was immediately thrumming against her larynx as she tried to remain calm. Maybe he hadn’t been able to sleep and had snuck downstairs for a snack or to curl up on the couch with tv or a book, and had simply been quiet enough not to wake her as he did. She tried to tell herself that panic wouldn’t do her any good, even as she was already whirling to rush back out of the bedroom and down the stairs in search of her son, exerting nearly all the control she had not to cry out his name and wake the whole house prematurely.
Henry’s wasn’t on the couch curled up with Pop Tarts and blankets, nor was he sprawled on the floor in front of his game console, as Emma had hoped. After all that had happened in the last week, and the generally unpredictable nature of magic, she was not at all convinced that Cora, nor her seemingly repentant daughter, or any other pressing threat to Henry’s safety was permanently gone, and her hands were genuinely shaking as she checked the kitchen next, nearly darting back out again before she glimpsed the scrap of paper sitting noticeably on the kitchen island. Two steps brought her close enough to snatch it up and see that the note was scrawled in Henry’s distinctively angular hand. ‘Mom, don’t worry, okay? I’m alright. I just couldn’t sleep. Thought maybe I’d sit at the docks for awhile. If you wake up before I’m back, that’s where I’ll be. Love, Henry,’ she murmured as she read the note aloud to herself. A large part of her wanted to rush right down to the docks and shake some sense into her eleven-year-old for scaring her so badly, yet the smaller, and marginally more logical, part of her cautioned that he had actually thought to leave her a note explaining where he had gone, and to have even realized she might be concerned to begin with.
Anxious to check on him all the same, and though his note said he was, see for herself that her boy was alright, Emma turned the paper over, hastily dashing off a note of her own to her parents that she’d gone to talk with Henry and watch the sunrise and not to wait on the two of them for breakfast, she donned her own jacket over her thermal sleepshirt and shoved her feet and the hems of her flannel pajama pants into her boots, not caring how silly it looked in her haste, and was out the door mere moments from finding Henry’s note.
Once her feet had carried her down to Storybrooke’s small harbor, Emma’s sharp eyes were already busily scanning the docks and shoreline for Henry’s form, sight peeled for his distinctive red and grey striped scarf over his dark winter peacoat and the unruly brown mop of hair that she was almost certain he would have forgotten to bring a hat to cover, though the crisp air had more than a hint of a bite to it. After several tense seconds, she located him, sitting on a bench near the end of the docks - not at all far from where Killian’s ship was berthed - looking out over the water. Finally, feeling able to let out a breath of relief, Emma headed toward him, noticing with an affectionate chuckle that his chin was tucked into his collar and hands shoved deep in his pockets, clearly cold, but too stubborn to leave his vantage point, and was glad she’d thought to bring along the toboggan and gloves she’d shoved into her jacket pockets for him.
Henry glanced up and over at her with a tiny smile as she drew near, her booted footsteps echoing with solid “thunks” on the creaking wood planks of the dock. He scooted over a bit, wordlessly making room for her to sit beside him, and Emma’s heart swelled warmly at the gesture, and that, whatever was going on in his mind, he wasn’t shutting her out.
Plopping herself down beside Henry, Emma offered the gloves while then reaching out to pull the toboggan down over his ears until it very much replicated that way she wore her own and had to be greatly reducing his risk of ear infection, cough and cold at the same time.
In response, her son merely cut his eyes at her with the sort of fond exasperation only a near-teen can manage for a parent he feels is being overprotective. He left the knit woolen hat on though, and pulled the gloves onto his cold-reddened hands, so Emma happily counted it a win.
They sat side-by-side on the bench, arms pressed together against the the chill, looking out over the choppy waves that rolled in before them, breaking against the supports of the pier below, without speaking for several languid moments. Neither of them seem discomfited by the quiet however, and Emma couldn’t help thrilling (at least a little) on the inside to the idea that Henry had inherited this little quirk from her. He might only be eleven, but he didn’t appear to need to fill every quiet moment with chatter just to keep back awkwardness. Certainly Henry was an animated storyteller and prone to boisterous enthusiasm and chatter when the occasion suited him, but he also could be silently introspective and honestly deeper than Emma had realized a child his age could be until meeting her long lost son.
Eventually though, Henry let out a sigh that sounded more than a bit morose, leaning against her side and laying his head on her shoulder. The action made Emma crane her neck to look down at his face without disturbing him, wondering if she had misread his apparent calm. “Hey,” she spoke gently, her voice lowered as she leaned into him in return to bump her shoulder against his own. “I got your note, kid. Thanks for letting me know where you were.”
He shrugged noncommittally, but didn’t look up at her and blinked several times quickly, giving away a hint of his inner emotions. Emma left her words hanging, but when Henry didn’t offer any audible response, she tried again. “Still, you were up and out pretty early… you sure you’re alright?”
“Dunno,” Henry finally muttered, face rising enough not to be staring down at his hands in his lap, but also not really meeting his mom’s gaze. His shrug and lack of words on the subject pretty much told Emma all she needed to know, even if her kid did keep his eyes trained on the undulating waves before them with a squinted focus she knew the view didn’t truly require. Her heart ached for Henry, even if she couldn’t help being personally relieved that there were no longer three powerful magic wielders wreaking havoc throughout town - two of which had been after Henry, whatever their reasons.
She determinedly set that line of thinking aside and tentatively reached out to take Henry’s hand in one of her own. She didn’t want to smother him, and he was pretty obviously still trying to work out for himself some of how he felt. However when he didn’t argue or pull his hand out of her grip, Emma gave his fingers what she hoped was a reassuring squeeze and rested her chin atop his head for a moment while leaning over to speak softly, “It’s okay, you know… to be hurt and confused… and even angry… but to still miss her.  You don’t have to be afraid to talk to me, or your grandparents, about it if you need to either. You get that, right?  Yes, we were at odds with Regina a lot, but that doesn’t change the fact that you grew up with her as your mother and that you cared for her. In the end, she must have loved you as well as she knew how.”
Henry did finally look at her then, his bright eyes slanted in her direction with a look much too wise for his eleven years and a huff of consternation. “I know that!” he argued.
“Good,” she said simply, a tiny curve of her lips turning the corners of her mouth up in what she hoped was a comforting smile. “Cause I wouldn’t want you coming out here to sit in the cold, thinking you had to hide whatever you’re thinking or feeling.”
Those lanky, thin shoulders on a form that seemed to be stretching up taller and fuller from being a little boy every day - much too quickly for her as she was just getting to know the little boy she had missed a whole decade with - shrugged once more, and then on a tense breath, as if frustrated that he didn’t quite know how to word what he wanted to say, he finally offered, “I know...it’s not that.  It’s just…” he fidgeted again, the weighted silence stretching out as the wind whipped against their cheeks and the waves crashed against the rocky shore and the supports of the pier.
When he eventually turned to look her full in the face, Emma could see that Henry was searching her for the truth and the answer he needed. “Do you ever wish you could just get away?” he finally asked earnestly, biting his lower lip as he did so before continuing. “I mean, just leave it all behind and escape...at least… at least ‘til you felt like yourself again?  I feel like everything’s falling apart around us, and I just wanted to run this morning. I needed to be outside. It felt like the walls were closing in.”
It was all Emma could do not to let out a huff of air in surprise and chuckle at the realization of how much he was like her after all. She knew all too well exactly the feeling Henry described; it was something she had often felt - and heeded - all her life. Until he turned up at her door in Boston, and she returned to make a life in Storybrooke, found a job she loved and the parents she’d never known, and now forged a bond so strong she wouldn’t have believed it was possible with a man she couldn’t resist in Killian - until all that, getting away when the need to run and keep that safe wall up around herself had practically been her MO. Instead, she valiantly managed to keep her face neutral, only nodding gently to let Henry know she understood and urge him to go on.
A tingling wash of awareness crept along her skin as Henry admitted he wished he had known a way to get his other mother to leave town with him for a time. Maybe if Regina hadn’t found Cora again, or if she’d had to be out in the non-magical world for a time and refrain from using magic herself, she could have shaken its grip. Maybe if he’d said he wanted to go somewhere with her, let her know he still loved her too…
Emma was quick to interrupt that train of thought when her son’s words trailed off sadly, cautioning him not to do that to himself, none of Regina’s actions were his fault, nor did dwelling on and living in “what ifs” do anyone much good.
“Still,” Henry sighed, finally fully relaxing against her and welcoming it when Emma wrapped her arms around him and snuggled him to her side. “I know it’s not very heroic - not like the rest of you guys - but I still can’t help wishing for just a little break… a little vacation from all this.”
Emma smiled, both at for once knowing what she wanted to say and how she thought she could help when so often she felt off-balance and five steps behind at instantly being the parent of a precocious pre-teen, and at also finally laying eyes on the reason for the way her hair was prickling along the back of her neck and her skin was shivering with a current of excitement.  Just a bit down the dock from where they sat, Killian Jones had climbed up from the captain’s quarters below deck with navy henley untucked over dark jeans and was stretching luxuriously and shaking his head of dark, shaggy hair out in an adorably canine manner as he sauntered over to his ship’s rail to watch the sun rising in the rapidly lightening sky.
As if he sensed her eyes on him, Killian turned; his sharp, preternaturally blue and far-reaching gaze enveloping her even from a distance as he grinned at her knowingly, a carnivorous sort of smile lingered on his lips and warmed her insides as he moved toward the gangplank and, she had no doubt, headed their way.
A matching smile started to grow on her own lips as Emma fully realized the thrumming in her veins was her own awareness of him, and it was only strengthening as Killian drew closer. Still, she focused back on Henry to ask, “Would it help if I said I felt that way all the time when I first came here? And that sometimes I still do? When I don’t know how to make something better for you? Or I start to worry that I’m not the lost princess this town expected? Or the daughter David and Mary Margaret wished for?”
Henry was listening very intently now, clearly already feeling better at just knowing he wasn’t the only one in a family full of heroes to sometimes feel the weight of that mantle was just a bit too heavy to bear.
Killian was indeed drawing close to them now as well; his look turned to one of concern and care, letting her know that his werewolf keen hearing had given him the gist of their conversation. She sent a silent look that she hoped conveyed her welcome, that it was alright for him to join them, wordlessly before adding to Henry, “See? It’s okay to feel that way sometimes. You’re not the only one, and it’s natural.”
Her son nodded, and his face did look at least somewhat less clouded with worry.
“Besides,” Emma continued, allowing a twinkle into her eyes that she knew Henry would quickly pick up on. “If that feeling ever gets too strong, to where it feels like even just a couple hours’ freedom would make all the difference in the world… I think we know someone who could probably help us out.”
She nodded over Henry’s shoulder just as Killian reached them, and without missing a beat, when Henry turned to see him there, Killian greeted smoothly, “Did I hear someone call me?”
Henry’s brow furrowed doubtfully, “We didn’t say your name, Killian.  Did we?” He looked to Emma, confused but not at all bothered by seeing her love there, much to Emma’s delight. She gave Henry a grin, and let the playfulness in her eyes meet Killian’s over his head as she looked up before responding. “Well, we did mention him, in a way. See, Killian has his ship right here - ” she pointed to the Jolly practically sparkling beautifully with the morning dew still on her hull glittering in the sunrise as she rocked gently on the water. “And I’ll bet,” here she winked at Killian conspiratorially, hoping she was right in her slight assumption, “that he’d be willing to take you out for a sail in her if you ever got that feeling of needing to escape for awhile again.”
Henry’s eyes widened in awe as he took in the vessel in person for the first time, rather than on the pages of his storybook. Emma had found there were very few of the many things she’d went to explain to Henry about this man who’d taken her - and her heart - by surprise that he hadn’t already known from reading his book. And to her relief (and slight worry for her son’s own sense of reality and self-preservation) none of it had seemed to phase Henry or put him off at all. “I read his story, Mom,” Henry had concluded that conversation emphatically when Emma had broached it with him. “Yeah, he’s done some bad things - but so have lots of people. He has a good heart; you can tell that all through it.”
Her son’s voice speaking to Killian again snapped Emma back from her reverie, and she was the one soon blinking back a swell of affection for these two men in her life as Henry asked, “You’d really do that? … For me?”
Killian nodded solemnly all seriousness in his desire to show the boy he was sincere. “Of course, lad. We’re friends now, remember?”
Henry nodded enthusiastically, almost wiggling with excitement, and she shot Killian a grateful look at seeing that her son’s previous guilt and sadness seemed to be at least momentarily forgotten. In the next moment, Henry was up and moving toward Killian’s ship, wide-eyed and full of enthusiastic questions, pulling them both along in his wake.
“Do you live on here?” Henry asked, looking over his shoulder to Killian’s face briefly, even as he trailed a reverent hand along the Jolly’s side. “Have you always? How did you manage shifting into a wolf when you were out at sea?”
Emma winced slightly at the barrage of questions, and especially at the rather personal nature of that last; well-used to Henry’s unquenchable curiosity, but knowing that it was new to Killian.
However, she found in the next instant that she needn’t have worried. Killian chuckled fondly, the deep rumble of it seeming to shudder through her bones in a way that made them feel as if they were going to mush. She shook her head distractedly, trying to remind herself not to go to pieces with wanting him while he was speaking with her son. He patted Henry’s shoulder good naturedly, seeming more entertained by his questions than bothered or upset “I do live onboard,” Killian answered honestly. “It can be a bit of a tight fit at times, but I’m used to it now, and she holds all that I really need. Or…” his eyes flicked over to capture Emma’s, not seeming at all worried that Henry was drinking in his every word and gesture. Her breath caught in her throat again when he clarified, “or at least until recently, she had all I needed.”
For a moment the air was charged with the electricity crackling over the space between them. Neither spoke, and even Henry seemed unable to break the weighted silence. But then, Henry shifted on his feet impatiently, and Killian’s eyes broke his hold on hers to look back at the young boy at his side before continuing. “I’ve lived on a ship since I was just about your age,” he said to her son, and Emma sensed that the pain there was still near the surface, however he tried to mask it for Henry’s benefit. She didn’t know how much detail Henry’s book had gone into on the circumstances of how Killian and his brother had come to be part of the ship’s crew, but Killian had just told her the story of his father selling his children for the price of a rowboat mere days ago, and she knew the wound from that sort of abandonment - had believed herself abandoned just as casually for so long that she knew it well - didn’t simply fade away.
“It wasn’t always pleasant,” she heard Killian saying to Henry. “My brother and I were basically servants for many years. But now, well…” here he reached out to gently lay his calloused hand on the ship’s side himself, “I’d never imagined living anywhere else.”
Henry nodded, taking the words in, then opened his mouth, to repeat his last question, no doubt.
Shaking his head, Killian laughed out loud, crinkles of mirth at the corners of his eyes, “You don’t miss a beat, do you, m’boy?”
Henry beamed too and shook his head, eagerly awaiting Killian’s answer.
“Well, luckily for me - as who knows what might have happened to Liam and I if I had shifted while we still belonged to Captain Silver - the changes didn’t start until I reached my teen years. I’ve since learned that’s natural, but I didn’t know it then. Liam never shifted at all. I don’t know why he didn’t, but he was as frightened and unprepared as I when it happened. Yet, it didn’t change his love for me or his protectiveness of me either.”  Killian’s voice was far away, and his eyes had gone a bit misty, clearly seeing his beloved brother once more in his mind’s eye. Emma was just moving to reach out to him in comfort, when Henry stole her breath by silently reaching out to take the man’s hand himself.
Killian held it gratefully and pressed on. “I was out of my mind in that tiny bunk, my wolf needing so desperately to be free. I was climbing the walls, about to tear things apart, and Liam was frantic trying to keep me hidden…” he shook his head at the memory. “It was unbelievably fortunate that our commanding officer - we’d enlisted in the navy by then - knew of the supernatural beings in the world, and knew that my change into wolf form was possible. I’ve always suspected he bore the ability and its secret himself, but I never learned for certain. He helped us to hide or disguise it until I learned more control and grew into my powers. Whenever it was possible, he managed to have our ship in dock when the moon was full and I couldn’t hold the shift back, so I could escape to the forest and run.”
They were all three quiet for a moment then. Henry’s curiosity sated for the time being and clearly mulling over all that Killian had told them. Emma had moved to Killian’s side, laid her hand on his back in support as she felt a part of him was still wandering in the past, and felt a series of tremors shivering through him, despite his steady exterior. None of them moved for a bit longer, until Killian moved to wrap her in a silent hug, holding on tightly and drawing strength from her support.
He had just pulled away and asked Henry with a happier tone of voice and a renewed twinkle in his eye if he wanted to come aboard and see the rest of the vessel for himself, when they were interrupted by an urgent voice calling their names.
The sound of running footsteps pounded on the wooden boards of the dock, and they looked up to see Belle and Graham running toward them. Graham’s long legs and lupine stamina could easily have passed up the much shorter strides Belle’s tiny stature forced her to take, but he remained firmly at her side, loping along with a devotion directly reminiscent of his domesticated canine brethren. Belle, however, was running full tilt as fast as she could until she skidded to a stop before them.
“We found it,” she panted, a hand on Emma’s outstretched arm to steady herself, even as Graham’s palm came to rest on her back in support as well, barely winded himself. “We figured out what dagger Cora was after.  One that Rumple has been...has been hiding all this time...”  She shook her head, still catching her breath and not willing to think any longer on his secretive nature and deception, all that the man had hidden from her when she had believed him to be sharing and opening himself. Belle drew another gasp into her burning lungs before finishing, “And I think I know where it is.”
Tagging: @cssns @kmomof4 @laschatzi @jennjenn615 @teamhook @revanmeetra87 @winterbaby89 @hollyethecurious @spartanguard @therooksshiningknight @searchingwardrobes @resident-of-storybrooke @thislassishooked @kday426 @quicksilvermad @linda8084 @capswantrue@kiwistreetswan @branlovestowrite @aloha-4-ever @bubblegum1425 @ultraluckycatnd @gingerchangeling @bmbbcs4evr 
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dinneratgrannys · 6 years
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Once Upon a Time rewatch: 24 favorite locations
4. Mary Margaret’s Loft
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frauleinsmaria · 6 years
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Everything Comes Back to You (1/1)
Summary: Ready for a change in their lives, Emma and Henry move from New York to her hometown of Storybrooke. But she gets a bigger change than she bargained for when Henry's new teacher is the ex-boyfriend she hasn't seen since college … who is also Henry's dad, and doesn't know he has a son. Written as part of the Captain Swan Little Bang.
Rating: T (Language, implied sex)
Word count: 14,842
Also on AO3 and FF.net
AN: After months of planning, writing, and editing, I can't believe it's finally time to share this not so little story of mine!
A few thank yous: First, to the mods of the @captainswanbigbang for putting this event together and giving me the opportunity to participate. I'm grateful for how this experience has challenged me as a writer, and even more so for the friends and connections I've made in the community over the past few months.
Second, words can't express how lucky I was to get Tessa, aka @the-reason-to-sail-home as my beta. She's been encouraging throughout this whole process, helping me deal with writer's block more than a few times and giving incredibly useful feedback. I'm so glad we got paired together and can't wait to read your own LB story soon!
In addition, I was also lucky to get paired with two artists who made gorgeous pieces for my story! Go check out @treluna2 and @polarbearmorgan's art- I'll be reblogging both and posting links to them here once they're up later today!
Lastly, I have to thank @irishswanff for posting this prompt right before the LB sign ups began. I've never had such a strong initial connection to a story idea before, and I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.
She should have known this day would come.
Emma stood in the kitchen, mouth agape as she read the letter Henry’s teacher had sent home with him:
Parents,
Just a reminder parent-teacher conferences are Tuesday afternoon. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Killian Jones
This was just her luck. She couldn’t believe he was in Storybrooke, let alone working at the elementary school. How could she face him after almost ten years, at a parent-teacher conference of all things?
More importantly, how would she explain to her son that his new teacher was also his father?
-/-
It started at Boston University during junior year. She met him the first day of the fall semester in Professor Gold’s eight A.M. Advanced Psychology class. Bonding over their mutual hatred of the instructor developed into a close friendship neither one of them expected. This lasted until the end of the year, when Killian confessed he couldn’t return to London for the summer without admitting his feelings for her. She’d kissed him in response.
Falling in love with Killian Jones had changed her life in a way she hadn’t expected, similar to her experience being taken in by David’s mother in high school. But as much as she loved him, Emma spent the entirety of senior year on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was impossible for things could stay the same, no matter how much she wanted them to. The closer they got to graduating, the more terrified she grew of what the future had in store.
It all went to hell the week before graduation. Killian showed up at her apartment, waving around the paper that confirmed her biggest fears: he’d been granted admission into the Masters of English Lit program at the University of Washington in Seattle. Emma had tried to put on a brave face as she congratulated him, and it worked...until he brought up the topic she’d shied away from for months.
He wanted her to go with him. There was plenty to do with a Criminal Justice degree in Seattle, he’d told her so many times she’d lost count. But this time, she couldn’t dismiss his suggestion and change the subject. The night ended with the worst fight they’d ever had - him upset at her hesitance to move forward in their relationship and her convinced he was moving too fast. She’d thrown him out of the apartment and told him they were over. He knew he couldn’t change her mind.
That was the end. He left for Seattle the week after graduation, and she moved to New York, desperate to get away from the place that reminded her of him. It was impossible to walk past the diner that was home to most of their study dates or the park where she’d first kissed him without feeling an overwhelming sense of loss. New York offered exactly what she needed, a chance to start over in a new place with no reminders of the past.
 Then she received a permanent reminder of Killian Jones in the form of a positive pregnancy test a month later.
 She never told him. There were many times over the next nine months she’d picked up the phone and let her finger hover over his name, then decided against it. He had his own life in Seattle and had long since moved on. The last thing he needed hindering his future was a kid with the girl who had been too scared to be a part of it.
 The past ten years had been hard, but she and Henry had made out alright. She managed to pay the bills via bail bonds work and raise him on her own. David and Mary Margaret, the only people she had shared the news of her pregnancy with, had been there whenever they’d needed it. The two of them moved to New York before Henry’s birth and stayed until last year when David, eager to return to their roots, had accepted the job as sheriff in their hometown of Storybrooke.
 Life in New York left little to desire. Henry went to a respectable school, made good grades, and had friends in his class. But after David and Mary Margaret left, it didn’t feel like home anymore. The big city she’d considered a safe haven a decade ago now felt overwhelming.
 Emma tried to change this: she convinced Henry to try every extracurricular his school offered, applied at a new bail bonds office, attempted dating a few times.
 (That fizzled out as men never asked to see her again once they learned she was a mother.)
 The decision to pack up and move to Storybrooke was last minute. When she’d graduated, the idea of coming back to the small town where she’d spent her teenage years wasn’t part of the plan - but becoming a mom wasn’t either, and she wouldn’t trade Henry for anything. There were only a few days until the lease on their apartment ended, and she had yet to decide whether to look into other opportunities, or sign on for another year. She’d been mulling over the whole thing on the phone with David when her brother mentioned he was in need of a deputy at the sheriff’s station. She and Henry moved into their new home a week later.
 The loft differed in comparison to their previous apartment, but Emma liked the open layout and Henry claimed his room upstairs was the best place to build his dream fort. It was nice having family close by for movie nights and lunch on Sundays, which Mary Margaret informed her would now be their new tradition.
 Her son’s parentage had been a touchy topic of conversation between her and Henry over the past few years. He asked Emma about his dad numerous times, but coming up with a story he’d be satisfied with had become difficult as he’d grown older. The last time he brought the subject up, she’d snapped, “He’s not around, okay?” The curt response had kept him from asking since.  That was a year ago.
 She thought about Killian often now that Henry looked less like a little boy and more like the pictures she’d once come across in Killian’s old yearbooks. He had Emma’s nose and chin, but everything else about him screamed “Jones.” Somehow, he’d inherited Killian’s mannerisms despite never meeting him. She had lost count of how many times she’d caught him twirling his pencil or tapping his foot on the floor while doing his homework, as his father had done in college when they were studying.
 Contacting him had crossed her mind a number of times over the years, especially when Henry reached a milestone or event most dads would want to be around for. Locating him wouldn’t have been an issue considering her line of work. Yet, each time, she came to the same conclusion: There’s no need; the two of you are fine by yourselves. You have no idea where he is, or if he has his own family now. It’s best for everyone that he doesn’t know. And each time, her heart sank as she believed it and wondered where life had taken him.
 Now she knew. She would have known sooner had she not been swamped with unpacking the day Henry started at his new school, and David took him instead. He’d been taking the bus since. When asked how his first week had gone, he’d said, “great,” and tried to talk her into letting him watch Deadpool. (He’d lost that one before it started.) All she’d heard about his teacher since was he “wasn’t from Storybrooke” was “cool” and “knew a lot about books.” She hadn’t even asked the man’s name.
 A thought occurred to her: if David had taken Henry to school his first day…
 “Hey, Emma,” her brother answered the phone.
 “When were you going to tell me Killian Jones was Henry’s teacher?!”
 There was dead silence as David tried to come up with a response. “Look, I was gonna tell you, okay? I hadn’t figured out the best way yet. I didn’t know he’d come to Storybrooke until I saw him in Henry’s classroom; he probably hasn’t been here much longer than you.”
 “Did you speak to him? Does he know who Henry is?”
 “No, he was busy so I didn’t have a chance to. I’m sure ‘Henry Nolan’ is on the records and he assumed he’s my kid. It’s not like he’d know otherwise.” David and Killian were friends in college thanks to his relationship with Emma, but from what she knew, they hadn’t been in contact since. She’d made it clear David and Mary Margaret weren’t allowed to contact him when they found out she was pregnant.
 “Shit. He’s going to have a major bomb dropped on him at parent-teacher conferences.”
 “Oh, wow. Erm...good luck?”
 “Thanks for the encouragement,” she deadpanned.
 “Sorry. I’m not trying to make you feel worse, but have you thought about how he’s going to feel? I know you had your reasons for not telling him, but this isn’t a small secret you’ve kept. I don’t know how I’d react if Mary Margaret and I broke up, and she found me later to say I’d been a father for a decade without knowing it.”
 Yeah, but you and Mary Margaret were a match made in heaven. “I know. I made a mistake, and it’s time to deal with the consequences.”
 “If it helps, I don’t know how he’ll feel about the not-knowing, but I don’t think he’ll dislike the idea of being a dad.”
 “What makes you say that?”
 “I wasn’t in his classroom long that day, but I saw enough: he’s great with kids.”
 -/-
 After hanging up with David, Emma called the school to schedule her time slot for the parent-teacher conference. Coincidentally she’d called on short notice and the last slots available were the earliest and the latest. She opted for the latter; this conversation was bound to be a long one.
 She spent the next few days on pins and needles, dreading the reunion with her ex-boyfriend. David’s comment had made her feel both better and worse. Truthfully, she’d always known Killian would make a great father. If she had told him the truth, though, would that have mended things between them? She hadn’t wanted to move to Seattle with him because of her own fears and insecurities. Having his child hadn’t helped, as she constantly asked, “what if?” What if she’d decided to go and things fell apart later? Would she have been stuck as a single mom, alone on the other side of the country? What if them having a baby had stood in the way of the opportunities Killian had and he resented her for it? What if he was okay with being a dad, but only stayed with her out of a sense of obligation for Henry?
 Each of these “what if’s” made it harder for her to reach out to him, though she knew they were wrong. If they’d had Henry together and broken up afterwards, it was hard to imagine he would have left her to raise him alone. Which is why she knew how furious he would be when she came clean.
 (She couldn’t say she blamed him.)
 -/-
 Emma put off coming to the school but was still early, hands shaking as she stood in the hall and watched the hands on her wristwatch move at an agonizing speed. Henry had gotten off of the bus and went to the library with Mary Margaret. He wanted to come with her, but his aunt’s offer to spend the afternoon with him seemed more appealing than discussing his academic performance.
 (Among other things he had no idea about.)
 The classroom door opened and a dark haired man walked out with a girl she assumed was his daughter. “Mr. Jones said to send you in,” he told Emma as he took the girl’s hand and they left.
 She walked into the room before she lost her nerve. Her heart constricted when she saw him sitting behind his desk, back turned to her as did something with a stack of papers. “Just a moment, and I’ll be finished here,” he called over his shoulder.
 “Take your time.” There was a catch in her voice as she tried to keep her composure.
 Killian recognized her voice - there was a sharp intake of breath as his back stiffened and he spun around in his chair to face her. His eyes widened as he took her in. “Swan?”
 “Hi,” she whispered. Emma knew seeing him again would sting, but she never expected it to feel like such a punch to the gut. He’d changed since college - shorter hair, more scruff, wearing a button down and khakis instead of a band t-shirt and jeans - but it seemed like no time had passed since she’d seen him for the last time at their graduation. He even wore what looked to be a pair of horn-rimmed reading glasses, and she forced herself not to think about just how much he reminded her of Harrison Ford.
 He stood and came around the desk. “Swan...what are you doing here? In Storybrooke?”
 “I moved back last week.” She paused, feeling awkward. “I got a note saying parent-teacher conferences were today. So, here I am.”
 There was a flicker of emotion - surprise, disappointment, or both? - on his face as he heard why she’d come. “I wasn’t aware you had a child. Who is-“
 “Henry. I’m Henry’s mom.”
��“Ah.” Killian smiled. “Bright lad, I could tell from his first day.” He seemed to think there was nothing odd about her having a child old enough to be in the fourth grade. Did he assume she’d found someone else so soon after they’d broken up?
 “I’m glad you think so.” She gulped as she prepared to tell him the reason she’d come. “Killian, there’s something you need to know about Henry.”
 “Aye? Is he having difficulties adjusting to the school? It’s normal, but I’ll do whatever’s necessary to help.”
 “No, nothing like that.” Her eyes pricked with tears when she realized how much he already cared about Henry. “The thing is, he’s not just my son.”
 Killian’s brow furrowed with confusion. “What do you mean?’
 “He’s nine years old, Killian.” She waited for him to absorb the meaning behind her words, hoping they would be enough for him to piece things together.
 It worked. He froze, looking at Emma as he processed the connection. “Is he...mine?” he whispered, voice barely audible.
 He sounded worried, scared even. “Yes. He’s yours.”
 Despite her urge to run, Emma watched as he sat down on the edge of his desk, removed his glasses and covered his face with his hands.
 “Killian, I-”
 “Bloody hell,” he muttered. “Bloody hell.” He got to his feet again. “Does he know? About me? Is that why you came back?”
 “No. He has no idea. I didn’t know you were here until he brought your note home.”
 This bit of information seemed to be worse than anything she’d shared. “So you were never going to tell me?” he spat, hands clenched at his side. “You did because you had to?”
 “That’s not what I meant-”
 “No, I think you meant you were going to let my child grow up without letting his father know he existed!”
 “Look, I’m sorry, Killian!” she pleaded with him. “I know there’s no excuse for not telling you. I thought it would be for the best.”   
 “What does that mean, Emma? For the best? Were you under the impression I would be such a terrible father?” He paused, thinking of something else. “Did you know before graduation? Is that why you ended things between us?”
 “No! I didn’t find out until you left and I’d moved to New York. I was going to tell you- I almost did so many times- but I knew you had a life in Seattle and I didn’t want to make things complicated for you.”
 “Yes, I had a life, Emma. But a life I would have gladly given up for my child!”
 It should have been reassuring, but it wasn’t. She spent so long scared of what the truth might cause, and he’d told her she’d no reason to be. “I believe you, alright? But that would’ve been hard to believe ten years ago when we’d broken up. I thought you’d resent me for making your life complicated or you’d feel an obligation to stay because of Henry.”
 Killian said nothing, still processing what he’d learned. “I don’t expect you to be happy with me,” she continued. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, and you had to find out like this. I know there’s nothing I can do to make up for the past, but we can change that for the future.”
 A look of confusion flickered across his face. “What are you saying, Swan?”
 “I’m saying you can be involved with him, if you want to.” She knew the words were absurd; of course he wanted to based on his reaction. “I know it’s complicated with you being his teacher, but we can work something out. He already thinks the world of you.”
 She felt relieved to see his lips turn up at the corners. “Really?”
 “Yeah. He thinks it’s cool you’re from London and know so much about books. He wants to be a writer.”
 “I can see that. But it’s never occurred to me,” he looked at her with something besides anger in his eyes, “until now. He looks like you, Swan.”
 “Not always, especially when he’s trying to concentrate. He does the thing with his pencil you always did in school.”
 Killian smiled, a real smile, not unlike the ones from their best memories together. “I’ll keep an eye out for that in the future.” He realized the time and cursed. “Bloody hell. Swan, I hate to cut this short, but there’s a meeting with the county superintendent in ten minutes that I have to attend. Could we pick this conversation up again later?”
 “Yeah, sure. I’m working second shift tomorrow and Thursday, but I have Friday afternoon off if you wanna get coffee and talk. Henry’s going camping with David and Mary Margaret this weekend, anyway.” Her son didn’t need to know she met his teacher outside of school when she couldn’t provide him with an explanation.
 “I can do that.” The way his face had fallen a bit at the mention of Henry’s name hadn’t gone unnoticed to Emma. She expected their situation to be messy, but realized how difficult it would be for Killian: being around his own child, yet forced to stay quiet until they discussed the best way to reveal his parentage. “That Granny’s place you used to talk about has decent coffee. Unless there’s somewhere else you’d prefer.”
 She couldn’t believe he’d remembered her love for the local diner. “As much as I love Granny’s, it’s not the place to go for conversations you don’t want publicized.” One of Granny’s customers or the owner herself could have a rumor about the new deputy and the fourth-grade teacher spread across Storybrooke in minutes.
 “Good point.”
 “There’s a place over on Second Street I’ve heard good things about. Have you been there?”
 “No, but I’ve heard pleasant things from other teachers. I can be there by four if that’s alright.”
 “It’s a date. I mean...” She stammered for better words. “I should go so you can get to your meeting. Bye, Killian.”
 Emma ran out of the room and barely heard his soft, “Goodbye, love.”
 She didn’t stop until she got to her car, plopping down in the driver's seat as her head fell against the wheel. In hindsight, things could have gone worse. He had rightly been upset, but it seemed he would put aside his animosity to be part of their son’s life. Explaining this to a child would be difficult, but she didn’t think Henry would be upset since he’d been asking questions about his dad and getting no answers for years.
 But co-parenting wouldn’t be the hardest part, not by a long shot. She’d gone into that classroom thinking her walls were up, armor intact to ensure whatever feelings she had towards Killian wouldn’t be a factor.
 She thought she was over him and could handle what they were getting into.
 She was wrong.
 -/-
 “It sounds like things went well.”
 Emma sat at David and Mary Margaret’s kitchen table two days later, having hot cocoa and snickerdoodles with her sister-in-law while David and Henry packed for their trip. At times like this she couldn’t complain about living a flight of stairs away.
 “I guess. I didn’t know what to expect. He was nicer to me than I deserved.” She took a sip of her drink before again asking Mary Margaret the question that had been on her mind for days. “You didn’t know he was in Storybrooke? You both work for the school system!”
 “And we work at two different schools, Emma,” she reminded her. “I don’t see teachers from the elementary school often, unless there’s some kind of county-wide event.” Mary Margaret had started teaching first grade when she and David moved back to Storybrooke, but transferred to the middle school last year. “Besides, the semester started less than a month ago.”
 “I can’t understand how he showed up right before I moved back. What made him choose Storybrooke, anyway? It’s my hometown, but it’s not like he’d been here before.” She’d had every intention of bringing Killian to visit while they were dating, but they’d broken up before she had the chance.
 “He may have never visited, but the way we talked about Storybrooke would give anybody a good idea about what kind of place it is. Maybe he got tired of being in the city and wanted a change.”
 Mary Margaret was capable of making the most complicated things make sense. “Did you see him Tuesday? I left because he had to go to some meeting with the superintendent.”
 “Yes, I did. That’s the only time, although I knew he was here since you showed me the note Henry brought home.”
 “Did you speak to him? Did he say anything about…” She trailed off, embarrassed to say about me?
 “No. But we didn’t talk much,” Mary Margaret added, noticing the look of disappointment Emma had failed to mask. “It was in passing, something about how long it had been, and we kept going.”
 Emma didn’t know if this made her feel better. The subject of Killian had been a sensitive one between them over the years. Although she hadn’t said so since her return to Storybrooke, Emma knew Mary Margaret hadn’t approved of her keeping such a monumental secret from him. She was thankful she had yet to hear a lecture beginning with, “I told you so.”
 “Are you two going to be co-parenting now?”
 “I don’t know what other option there is, considering Killian wants to be involved with Henry. But it’s gonna take some time to get there. Him being Henry’s teacher could complicate things.”
 Mary Margaret smiled, the grin meaning she would get a motivational speech about hope or happy endings. “You’ll figure something out, Emma. I know you have the best of intentions. This could end up being the start of something great.”
 “I hope so, Mary Margaret. I really hope so.”
 -/-
 Emma tapped her fingers against the table as she looked from the door of the coffee shop to the clock oh her phone. She’d arrived early, as she had at the school a few days ago, and claimed a table where Killian would see her when he arrived, but far back enough to ensure they would be having a private conversation. The coffee shop was sparsely populated in comparison to Granny’s on any afternoon, but she wasn’t willing to take chances.
 She glanced at her phone again. It was almost four; Killian should be leaving the school. He was a stickler for time; something told her that hadn’t changed.
 “Can I get you something now?” The perky, pink-haired waitress who’d tried to take her order four times since she’d arrived was at her table once again. She must have thought Emma had been stood up or was taking up space for no reason since she’d been there awhile and had yet to order anything.
 Emma smiled at the girl despite her agitation. “Not yet. My...friend should be here soon.”
 The girl looked skeptical, but Emma must have given her the impression she didn’t want to be messed with today. “Alright. Let me know when you’re ready.”
 She sighed with relief when the girl left.
 “Bad day, love?”
 Emma startled. She hadn’t noticed Killian arrive or sit down across from her.
 “Apologies, Swan.” He tried not to laugh. “I didn’t intend to frighten you.”
 She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “You didn’t scare me.” She sounded unconvincing. “Just didn’t hear you come in. Um, do you want coffee? I would have ordered something but I didn’t know what you’d want.”
 She motioned for the waitress, who seemed surprised she was needed. Emma realized there was no point in making the girl wait when he ordered plain black coffee, like he drank it in school.
 She couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose when he took a long swig of his drink without adding cream or sugar. “I should’ve known,” she told him when he laughed at her expression. “You always drank the boring stuff.”
 “Sorry. I can’t say I like having coffee in my cream.” Killian indicated to her own drink, a light tan color once she’d finished stirring in milk. “How is life treating you, love?”
 “Okay.” She’d hoped they could wait before changing the subject and discussing the reasons they had agreed to meet. “There’s not a lot of crime to deal with, so that’s nice. Unless you count Leroy getting drunk and disturbing the peace at least once a week.”
 “I’m afraid I know who you’re referring to. He showed up at my apartment building after I moved in and started a ruckus with the bloke next door.”
 She changed the subject with what had been on her mind since Tuesday. “Killian, I know you and I have a lot to talk about. But I need to say thank you before anything else.’
 He raised any eyebrow at her over the rim of his coffee mug, confused. “What on earth for, Swan? I haven’t done anything.”
 “Yes, you have. I was horrible for keeping Henry from you, and yet you seem willing to look past that to be a part of his life. I’m not sure a lot of guys would do the same.”
 “Emma.” He looked her in the eye. “Let’s make two things clear: first, I would never abandon, ignore, or mistreat my child, no matter my feelings toward their mother.” She didn’t need to question him to know it was true. “And secondly, I won’t lie, I’m still upset you didn’t tell me about Henry from the beginning.”
 “I can’t say I blame you.”
 “But,” he continued, “I realize you were in a tough spot. We had broken up, I was on the other side of the country. I also realize that had I put more into our relationship, it could have given you confidence that I would have stayed. And for that, I apologize.” He held up his hand to prevent her from disagreeing. “No, Swan. That much is on me. I was too concerned about Seattle to consider how it would change things for us. Again, I wish things could’ve been different, but I’m trying to see things from your perspective. I don’t see a need to dwell on the past when there’s the future and our son to be concerned about.”
 Emma smiled, still bewildered by his attitude. “I appreciate that.”
 They continued in casual conversation, most of it involving Henry and his and Emma’s life before Storybrooke. She waited for Killian to explain what brought him there too, but his expression when she hinted at the subject made it clear he wasn’t up for that discussion yet.
 “He tried sports, but that didn’t last more than a year. He likes books and movies more than anything,” she told Killian when asked about Henry’s interests. “Sometimes that keeps him from fitting in with other kids, but he had a few good friends in New York. I hope he finds some here, too.”
 Killian appeared more than satisfied with what he’d learned about his son. “He’s a bright lad, Swan. I’m sure he’ll have more friends than he knows what to do with.” Despite his approval, however, he wasn’t telling her something.
 “What’s wrong, Killian? And don’t say ‘nothing’; I can spot a lie from a mile away.”
 “That much hasn’t changed,” he chuckled. “I understand why you’d want to handle all of this with Henry slowly. He’s a child; this will be a lot for him. But Emma, he’s almost ten years old. I’ve missed so much of his life already, and-”
 “You don’t want to miss more,” Emma finished. “That’s understandable.” She didn’t want the guilt of keeping him from Henry any longer. “Tell me something, though - are you allowed to have your own child in your class? Is that something the school would have an issue with?”
 Killian shrugged. “It’s not the ideal circumstances, but there’s no policy against it. The third grade teacher’s twin girls are in her class. If it is against policy, there’s not much the school administration can do about it, considering there’s one teacher per grade, and I didn’t know Henry was my son beforehand.”
 “Good to know.” At least his job wasn’t at risk. “I guess the next thing I have to do is talk to him.”
 “Any idea how you’re going to go about that?”
 “None. But I have until he comes back Sunday afternoon to think about it. I know beating around the bush won’t be an option; he’s too clever.”
 “I’m sure you’ll figure out what’s best. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know. I want to be there...for Henry,” he added.
 The last bit stung more than it should have. Of course he wanted to be there for Henry, but she remembered a time when he wanted to be there for her, too. Emma cursed herself for thinking about the past. She’d broken up with Killian, and she’d kept his son hidden from him for years. He’d moved on, and it was past time for her to accept it.
 “I’m curious, love, what made you name him Henry Nolan?” He broke her reverie of thoughts. “I assumed he was David and Mary Margaret’s child at first.”
 “Honestly? I felt better naming him ‘Nolan’ instead of ‘Swan,’”, she admitted. “My last name is something I chose and doesn’t have sentimental ties. I wanted Henry to be named after his family instead. It causes some confusion with legal stuff, but I don’t regret it.”
 He nodded understandingly. “Sounds like you made the right choice.” It was a comfort to know he wasn’t one of those guys who got upset about not sharing a name with his kid.
 They left the cafe soon after, Killian needing to grade papers and Emma heading to the station for the night shift. They exchanged numbers before leaving, Emma promising to let him know when she had the chance to talk things over with Henry.
 She got in her car and drove away, watching in the rearview mirror as Killian walked home in the other direction. Her stomach lurched as she considered what the two - rather, three - of them were about to begin. Whether she was more hopeful or terrified, she didn’t know.
 -/-
 “When are you gonna tell me what’s going on?”
 Emma and Henry hadn’t been away from the loft five minutes before he questioned why she wanted to go out right after he’d returned from his trip. He had now asked so many times she’d lost count.
 “Can a mother not want to spend time with her son after he’s been gone all weekend?”
 “Yeah...but you’d never let me have pizza and doughnuts unless something’s up.”
 That was true. They had lunch at the local pizza place, followed by a trip to the bakery where she let him eat as many chocolate frosted doughnuts as he wanted. “All right, kid. You’ve got me.” They had taken a walk after leaving the bakery and were now at the park. “There’s something you and I need to talk about.” She walked over to the nearest bench and sat down, motioning for Henry to do the same.
 He sat down beside her, worried. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
 “I’m fine, Henry. Yes, something happened. Nothing bad, just something I’ve put off telling you for way too long now.”
 “Is it about my dad?” Henry didn’t miss a beat.
 “How did you kno- nevermind. Yes, it’s about your dad.”
 “Have you talked to him? Does he know about me? Who is he?”
 “Woah, slow down, kid. Yes, I’ve talked to him. He knows about you. In fact, you two have already met.”
 “I have?! Who is he?”
 Emma had intended to ease him into this slowly, but she could tell from his wide eyes and the way he clutched her arm he wouldn’t give her that option. “He’s your teacher, Henry. Mr. Jones is your dad.”
 Henry didn’t seem to understand. Then, “Really?! Mr. Jones?” His sudden excitement wavered. “Why hasn’t he said anything? He’s been acting like my teacher since I started school here. Does he not wanna be my dad?”
 “No, Henry! It’s not that. He didn’t know he was your dad until I went to your school and talked to him.”
 “So...you never told him about me?”
 “I’m so sorry, Henry,” she whispered, the hurt look on his face pricking her eyes with unshed tears. “I know I did you both wrong by keeping you from him. I was scared of what might happen, but that wasn’t fair to you. But,” she clasped his hand in hers, “the important thing is, he knows about you. He wants to be your dad, and I want him to be your dad, too, if you’re okay with it.” She watched as he contemplated everything she’d shared.
 He finally smiled and threw his arms around her. “Of course I’m okay with it! I have a dad! And I already know he’s cool. Can I talk to him? Now?”
 “Okay, kid. I’ll see if he’s busy.” She released him and grabbed her phone, sending a text to the number he’d given her. I talked to Henry. He wants to see you. Can you come to the playground at the park?
 He responded within seconds. On my way.
 Henry asked a myriad of questions as they waited. How had they met? What Killian was like? Why was he in Storybrooke? She answered them as well as she could (aside from the last one). “He likes books and movies, like you. I remember he used to be big on Peter Pan. Harry Potter, too.” Henry’s eyes lit up. She knew there would be harder questions (why had they broken up, what their attempt at co-parenting would involve), but at least he knew the truth about Killian.
 A few minutes had passed when she spotted headlights as a familiar black Mustang drove into the parking lot. (She couldn’t believe he still drove the old car he’d bought right after they met, when he always gave her a hard time about her bug.) Emma watched as Killian got out and fixed his gaze on them. She worried about what Henry would say. He had taken the news well, but this would overall be the biggest adjustment for him.
 Killian approached them slowly, his nervous gaze implying he was just as torn on what to say. Henry, however, solved that problem. When he’d managed to say, “Henry, I-” the boy jumped up from the bench and threw his arms around his father.
 Killian looked bewildered; he must have not expected Henry to react so well. He returned the hug.
 “So, you’re my dad?”   
 “Aye.” There was a catch in his voice; Emma realized he was trying not to cry.
 He was laughing a moment later as Henry bombarded him with questions. “When’s your birthday? How old are you? Do you know what Hogwarts house you’re in? Mom and I are both Gryffindors. Please tell me you like hot cocoa with cinnamon?”
 “Woah, kid. Give him time to catch up,” Emma walked over to them, putting her hand on Henry’s shoulder. “I have a feeling you’ll have plenty of time to talk about Hogwarts houses and hot cocoa.”
 They took long walk around the park, Emma hanging back a bit to give Henry a chance to talk to Killian alone. She expected Killian to get tired of the endless questions, but he answered them all and listened to everything Henry said with genuine interest.
 It felt like playing devil’s advocate when she noticed the time and had to press pause on their time together. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news,” she interrupted, catching up to them, “but it’s getting late. Someone still has math homework to finish before bed.” Henry made a sour face.
 “She’s right, lad,” Killian agreed. “It’s time I let the two of you go.”
 If not for her self restraint, Henry’s disappointed expression would have been enough for her to let him talk to Killian all night. “Okay,” he sighed in defeat. “But we can do this again, right?”
 Killian hesitated, looking back and forth between her and Henry. “I’d be more than happy to, but it’s ultimately up to your mother.”
 It hurt to hear he still wasn’t convinced Emma would want them spending time together. “Of course,” she told them. “It’ll take time to figure out something for our schedules, but you can absolutely do this again.”
 There was much more needed to be discussed, but the sky was growing dark and Henry would need to be in bed soon. Killian hugged him goodbye as he and Emma discussed a time to sit down and talk again, deciding to meet in a few days at the coffee shop.
 Henry talked about Killian nonstop the rest of the night, and for the first time in his life, seemed excited about going to school the next morning.
 “You realize he still has to be Mr. Jones to you at school, don’t you?” she asked. “He can’t treat you differently because you’re his kid.”
 “It’s okay. I’m just happy I have a dad.”
 She sent Killian a text after Henry went to bed. Thanks for coming tonight. It meant a lot to him.
 It meant a lot to me as well.
 Not for the first time that night, Emma regretted the decision to keep a secret ten years ago.
 -/-
 “What do you think?” Mary Margaret held a bright blue dress up for Emma’s observation.
 “It’s gorgeous. The yellow one is nice too, though.” Emma wasn’t sure how she wound up spending her Saturday off helping her sister-in-law find a new dress for the sixth-grade dance she was chaperoning the next weekend.
 Oh, wait. It was because Mary Margaret had used the fact Henry wouldn’t be around today as leverage.
 As if she’d read her mind, Mary Margaret asked, “What are Henry and Killian up to today?”
 “Not sure. I think they were going to see a movie, and to the park if the weather’s nice.” It had been over a month since she told Henry that Killian was his father. Since then, they’d made arrangements for the two of them to spend Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, as well as every other Saturday together.
 “This new arrangement seems to be working out well,” Mary Margaret mused. “Oh! This would look perfect on you.”
 A pale pink dress with sleeves was thrust into Emma’s arms. “It still feels weird sharing him,” she admitted, “but it’s good so far. And how many times do I have to tell you I’m not going to that dance? Henry’s not even in sixth grade.”
 “Parent chaperones are welcome, too. We don’t have an overwhelming amount of teachers on staff. So Killian’s doing alright at the whole ‘dad’ thing?”
 “I wish you’d stick to one subject,” Emma muttered as she put the pink dress away; it was nice, but she didn’t need it. “I mean, I’m not around him all that much. But Henry loves spending time with him, and Killian has his best interests in mind.” To be truthful, she’d been avoiding contact with him other than the occasional text about plans with Henry, and when he was dropped off and picked up on his days with Killian. She had no objections with them spending time together, but was afraid getting too involved would stir up old feelings and cause problems for everyone.
 “I’m happy he’s getting to be a part of his life after all this time.”
 Emma suppressed a groan. “Are you going to put me on a guilt trip for not telling him about Henry before I did? Because if you are-”
 “Relax, Emma,” Mary Margaret cut her off.  “I’m saying it’s good the three of you are getting a chance to be a family.”
 “I’m sorry, family?”
 “Well, you two were in love, and you do have a child together, so…”
 “Mary Margaret, I’m glad you’re optimistic. But Killian and I aren’t you and David. Whatever there was between us ended a long time ago. We’re co-parenting, and maybe we can be friends, but don’t get your hopes up for more.”
 The look on her sister-in-law’s face showed she was unconvinced, but she dropped the subject.
 (Although, Emma had a feeling this conversation was far from over.)
 -/-
 “Alright, kid. I bought popcorn, milk duds, and hot chocolate mix. All you need to do is pick the movie.”
 Emma followed Henry into the loft and kicked the door shut behind her, carrying the bags of things they’d picked up at the store for movie night. She was glad to have time with him. David was working at the station, and Mary Margaret and Killian were both chaperoning the dance tonight. While their last few months in New York had been lonely, it was nice to know her son wanted to spend time with her despite everyone else in his life now.
 “I’m thinking a sequel. Maybe Empire Strikes Back or Temple of Doom?”
 “Either sounds good to me. Or, I might let you stay up late enough to watch both.”
 Henry’s face lit up as he grinned and bolted over to the couch. “Great, let’s start now so you won’t fall asleep.”
 “Hey!” Emma protested as she put away their groceries. “I fell asleep during movie night once, and-” She stopped at the sound of her phone ringing. She saw Mary Margaret’s name and prepared for a short conversation; Henry was adamant about making sure no part of a movie was missed.
 “Emma? Are you home?”
 “Yeah, Henry and I just got in.”
 “Oh, thank goodness! I worried you might be out. Is there any way you could do me a favor?”
 “Of course.” Something told Emma she should have waited to hear the favor first.
 “Great! Because I’m under the weather, and wanted to know if there’s any way you’d consider chaperoning the sixth-grade dance for me? It’s required a certain amount of adults be there.”
 Mary Margaret didn’t sound under the weather. “I’m the only one that could do it? I’m sure there are dozens of parents who’d love to come embarrass their kids.”
 “I would try someone else, but the dance is in less than an hour. I might not have time if I can’t get someone now. Please?” Mary Margaret pleaded. “I’ll owe you one.”
 “Yes, you will,” said Emma. “Fine. I’ll find someone for Henry to stay with and throw myself together. What do you wear to a sixth-grade dance?”
 “Don’t worry about it. I may have left something in your closet after we went shopping last weekend.”
 “What?”
 “Thanks a million, you’re the best, bye!” Mary Margaret hung up before Emma could question her further.
 Why do I have the feeling she’s got something up her sleeve?
 “Sorry, kid.” She sat down beside Henry as he looked through their Netflix queue. “Movie night’s being postponed; I have to go to the dance at your school in Mary Margaret’s place.”
 “That’s okay. We can reschedule.”
 “Thanks for having a good attitude.” Emma smiled and hugged him. “The problem is finding someone for you to hang out with. Mary Margaret’s sick, and Kil- your dad will be chaperoning the dance, too.” She hadn’t considered this fact until now, and felt nervous. “David’s working, but I’ll see about dropping you off with him if things are quiet at the station.”
 “Awesome! I can show him the level I started!” Henry jumped off the couch and bolted upstairs to get his Gameboy.
 She arranged to drop Henry off with David on her way to the school. Now, if she could make herself presentable to spend a Saturday night with a crowd of kids...and Killian.
 It’s not like it’s a date or anything. She opened the closet to see what Mary Margaret had left her.
 The garment bag stood out among her other clothes. Inside held the pink dress they’d found shopping, with a note taped to the hanger: I knew you wouldn’t buy it, but it suited you too well to pass it up. You’re welcome :)
 People could say what they wanted about Emma’s sister-in-law, but it they couldn’t deny she had impeccable taste. The dress fit her like a glove, a relief as she had little to choose from besides the short, tight numbers from her bail bonds jobs not suited for a night spent with a bunch of prepubescent teens.
 She finished getting ready twenty minutes before the dance was to start, leaving enough time to leave Henry with David and drive over to the school. The parking lot was crowded; Mary Margaret must not have been kidding when she said all school employees were to help.
 There was a chill in the air. Emma shivered as she stepped out of the bug and wished she’d forgone the dress for something warmer. At least she’d thought to grab a sweater on her way out the door. She pulled the grey cardigan around her as she walked into the school, not for the first time wondering what she had gotten into.
 The gymnasium was decorated nicely for a dance. The room was filled with the school colors of white and blue, and there were fairy lights strung up everywhere, even the stage where the DJ stood. He looked to be in his late teens, as if this dance were the last place he wanted to be.
 Emma scanned the room for familiar faces, a regular customer at Granny’s or the librarian Henry liked. Socializing hadn’t been high on her priority list since moving thanks to more important things. She remembered there should be a face in the crowd that was more than familiar, and the thought had her stomach in knots. She considered turning back and walking out while she had the chance when she saw him standing alone to the side.
 Glancing at him was enough to make Emma stop in her tracks. She knew she would see him tonight - that was inevitable. She didn’t know he’d manage to have such an effect on her after all these years.
 He wore all black: leather jacket, button up shirt, jeans, and boots, not unlike the outfits he wore in college. Since reconnecting in Storybrooke, she’d grown used to seeing him in blazers and slacks, like most of the other teachers. It was why seeing him now caught her off guard- for the first time in ten years, it felt like looking at the man she fell in love with.
 Killian noticed her then. She realized he had seen her staring and blushed with embarrassment.
 “Um, hi,” she said sheepishly when he walked over.
 “Hello, love,” He smiled, and she hated the way it made her heart constrict. “Not that I’m unhappy to see you, but what are you doing here? I would’ve assumed you finished sixth-grade by now.”
 She laughed. “Smart ass. Mary Margaret’s sick and asked me to fill in her chaperoning duties, whatever those are.”
 “Nothing difficult. Just keep an eye on the students and ensure they’re not doing anything unbecoming.”
 “They’re in sixth-grade!”
 “Aye, but you’d be surprised.” He noticed she was alone. “Where’s Henry?”
 “With David. I thought he’d get bored since he doesn’t know many of the older students.” This was the first conversation they’d had without their son since they’d come up with an arrangement for he and Killian spending time together. “He had a lot of fun with you at the movies last weekend. It’s all he’s talked about since.”
 Killian smiled. Something told her the words meant more than he let on. “I enjoyed it as well. I, erm, appreciate all the time you’ve allowed him to spend with me.”
 She wanted to ask Why wouldn’t I? He’s your son. But she knew the answer: because she’d gone nearly a decade without letting him be a part of Henry’s life. The guilt had eaten at her far before she’d told him the truth, but seeing how he prioritized having a relationship with their son made it worse. “It means a lot that you’ve made room for him in your life,” she told him instead.
 The sound of footsteps interrupted them. “Jones, I pay you to work, not to flirt with parents.”
 A tall brunette woman glared at Killian, arms crossed over her chest. It took a glance at her pantsuit and heels, plus the description Mary Margaret had given her to assume she was the school’s principal. “Miss Mills?”
 The woman looked from Killian to Emma. “Yes? And you are?”
 I’m wondering who had the right mind to appoint you head of an elementary school. “I’m Emma Swan, Mary Margaret Blanchard’s sister-in-law. She’s sick so I’m here to chaperone in her place.”
 Regina pursed her lips as if she were trying to decide if she approved of Emma. “Yes, the new deputy. I’ve heard about you. Isn’t your son a student here?”
 “Yeah. Henry’s in the fourth-grade.” Her eyes flickered to Killian, who had his on Regina. She didn’t know if he had shared the details of his relationship with Henry with anyone else at the school, or in Storybrooke for that matter.
 The unassuming look on the principal’s face insinuated he hadn’t. “Well, I appreciate your coming to help. But Mr. Jones needs to stop appreciating it long enough to get extra cups and plates out of the supply closet like I asked him to five minutes ago.” She gestured to the table of refreshments on the other side of the room, which appeared to be stocked with enough cups and plates already.
 “I’m sorry,” Emma began. “I shouldn’t have-”
 “Don’t worry about it, love.” Killian cut her off. “Apologies, Regina. I’ll get what you need right away.” The principal walked away without responding.
 “Is she always like that?”
 Killian chuckled. “Usually. The students like her well enough though, and for some reason, so do their parents. Well- most of them,” he corrected when noticing the expression on her face.
 “If you say so. Let me help get you get that stuff so I can avoid running into her again.”
 Emma followed him out of the gymnasium and down the hall to a closet where they found the plates and cups Regina had so graciously requested.
 “Thank you for the help, love,” he told her after they had delivered the supplies, “but you didn’t have to do anything.”
 “I wanted to.” They had found themselves back in another corner of the gym, close enough to where they could keep an eye on the kids, but far away enough they could talk without being overheard. “It’s nice to see a familiar face,” she continued. “I’ve kept to myself since moving back. Being somewhere like this is almost unnerving.”
 “Aye? I assumed you had a number of friends here.”
 “I did in high school, but we grew apart after college, more so after I went to New York. Since then, I’ve been occupied with Henry.” She smiled. “What about you? Life in Storybrooke kept you busy?”
 “I’m afraid not. Teaching has been my top priority, other than Henry. I’m ashamed to say I’ve lived here three months, and the only people I come into contact with regularly are my students. And Granny, who tries her hand at flirting when I go in for breakfast.”
 Emma snickered. She believed him knowing Granny’s tactics with men,but it surprised her he was a loner now. His charisma made him friends in college. It was odd that aspect changed afterwards, and also another reminder she had no knowledge of his life between graduation and Storybrooke, including his presence there. The thought had been nagging her for weeks now, but she’d always thought it in her best interest not to ask. However, he was the father of her child and now a part of his life. Didn’t that give her the right to know things?
 “So...why Storybrooke?”
 Killian looked taken aback; he didn’t expect such a loaded question out of nowhere. “Erm, I don’t know. Seemed like a nice place?”
 Emma rolled her eyes. They’d already established he couldn’t get a lie past her. “I’m serious, Killian. You decided to ditch Seattle for a place you’d never been to before, let alone my hometown?”
 “What makes you think I was in Seattle?”
 “You weren’t?”
 “Well, yes. But I’m pointing out you don’t know as much about my life as you think.”
 “I would if you would tell me!” she exclaimed. Her voice dropped to a whisper when she realized she’d attracted the attention of a group of kids nearby. “I’m not saying you need to spill all your secrets, but you’ve got to admit the Storybrooke thing doesn’t add up from my side.”
 Killian realized she wouldn’t let it go. “Fine. If you bloody insist, I’ll tell you. Just not here.”
 She was confused when he gestured for her to follow him out. “Aren’t we supposed to watch the kids?”
 “Yes. But I don’t think our present company will be offended with our absence.”
 Emma glanced around the room. Most of the kids were either tapping at their phones or sulking in the corner, waiting to leave. The other chaperones were talking among themselves. It took seeing Regina with her back turned for her to give in and follow him.
 They ended up in his classroom, Emma leaning against the closed door and he on his desk, looking as if this were the last conversation in the world he wanted to have.
 “You want to know why I left Seattle?”
 “Yeah, but particularly why you’re in Storybrooke.”
 Killian rubbed a hand over his face as he thought. “Well, where to start? I graduated, moved to Seattle, went to grad school. My intentions were to get involved with publishing, but I was drawn to teaching instead. I didn’t care about age groups or specifics, just wanted to help educate and inspire students as my teachers did for me. I taught in community colleges until I got involved with a mentoring program and ended up transitioning to primary schools.”
 “Which explains the job here,” she finished for him.
 “Aye. I was content in Seattle, but it didn’t feel like home. That is, until-” he paused, looking uncomfortable. “Until I met Milah. We met at a school district meeting a little over a year ago. She taught at another school in the city, third grade. We became friends, but it didn’t take long to grow into something else. I knew she and her husband had just separated, but I’ll admit I was so caught up in the moment I never gave it much thought. We’d been together a few months when their teenage son begged her to give his father another chance. She agreed. And that’s the end of it.”
 The crestfallen look on his face made her heart ache for him. “I’m so sorry, Killian.”
 His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s alright. I don’t have any ill will towards her. It’s understandable why she wanted to make things work for the lad’s sake. I just hoped things would be different. Anyway,” he continued, “this happened, oh, three or four months ago. I realized I needed to move on - from Seattle, from everything. It sounds crazy, but…” he looked hesitant. “I came to Storybrooke because of you, love.”
 Emma was bewildered. “Because of me? I thought you didn’t know I was here.”
 “Trust me, I didn’t. As I said, I’d decided to leave Seattle. I didn’t know where to go next, but I began to make preparations and hoped a solution would come eventually. I was packing up my apartment when I came across a handful of photos you’d given me in school, not long after we started dating.”
 “Oh?”
 “Aye. You’d come home for the weekend - you invited me, but I was working. Mary Margaret had taken pictures of you in spots across Storybrooke- the town square, the harbor. I looked through them again, saw how happy you looked. I knew I wanted a change from the city, and thought perhaps it was a sign. Maybe it was crazy, Emma, to feel so strongly about a place I’d never been, but I did. I moved at the first of the year and got my teaching job. And that’s it.”
 Killian was right: it was crazy to a certain extent. She’d impacted his coming to Storybrooke just as she’d decided to come back herself.
 Mary Margaret would have called it fate, but Emma wasn’t sure what to call it yet.
 “Killian?” It was hard to think of the right thing to say. “I don’t know it this helps, but I’m glad you ended up in Storybrooke.”
 His smile made her heart still in a way it hadn’t in ten years. “Aye, love. So am I.”
 -/-
 That night at the school changed something between them. Their brief texts about his time with Henry had become long conversations on everything from Netflix to foreign foods to books she’d read via his recommendations. (She vividly remembered when they’d stayed up past two in the morning comparing Lord of the Rings to the Narnia books. She had been exhausted at work the next day, but regretted none of it.)
 They’d also been spending time together with Henry. It started unintentionally- Killian arrived at Granny’s one afternoon when she and Henry were having lunch, and Emma invited him to join. Their son, who had enjoyed spending time with both of his parents, asked if it could be a regular occurrence. Emma saw no reason to object. The three of them now had lunch together once a week, sometimes more if their schedules permitted it. They’d also gone to the movies a few times, along with a few school events Henry participated in.
 Emma could easily imagine the wheels in Mary Margaret’s head turning whenever Killian was mentioned. Her sister-in-law hadn’t asked for details on their relationship since that day in the dress shop, but she didn’t have to mention it. Emma knew she held out hope for some kind of fairytale romance.
 But Mary Margaret wasn’t alone. Recently, Emma and Henry had been eating dinner when her son stopped rambling about Star Wars to ask, “Are you and my dad gonna get back together?”
 She nearly choked on her spaghetti. “Uh, what makes you ask, kid?” she’d responded after downing a generous amount of water. “Did Killian say something to you about this?” She hated how her pulse quickened at the thought.
 “No. But you’ve started spending more time together and stuff. I figured something changed.”
 A lot had changed, but explaining that to a nine-year old would be difficult. “It’s not always that simple, Henry. Your dad and I are on good terms and have been trying to spend time with you as a family, but that doesn’t mean we could get back together.”
 Emma worried he would be upset, but he shrugged. “I just don’t think you should be afraid of giving him another chance.”
 I’m not afraid of giving him another chance she thought. It’s him who I’m worried about not giving another chance to me.
 -/-
 Henry was up to something.
 Emma had suspected as much for the past week, but it became hard to ignore by Friday. He’d been spending a large amount of alone time in his room, and ran out the door that morning with barely a word for her. It stung since he’d be spending the afternoon and the next day with Killian, but she assumed it was normal, maybe even preparation for his teenage years when he’d be embarrassed to admit she existed.
 The station was busy, causing her to forget about Henry’s behavior. But she was abruptly reminded of it when Killian called after four. “Hey, what’s up?”
 “Is Henry with you?” He sounded frantic.
 “No. I thought he was hanging out with you today?”
 “Bloody hell, he was supposed to. I had a meeting with a parent after school and asked him to wait in the school library with Belle until I finished. That was twenty minutes ago, and he never came.”
 Emma’s heart dropped. “And you don’t know where he could be?” She tried to ignore the terrifying scenarios running through her mind. Storybrooke may have been a small, safe town, but she knew thanks to working in law enforcement the worst was capable of happening.
 “We were supposed to go to the park after my meeting, but I don’t see why he would have gone alone.” He let out a string of muffled curses. “I’m sorry, Emma. If anything’s happened to him-”
 “Don’t talk like that!” she interrupted. “This isn’t your fault. I’m sure he wandered off, you know how easily distracted he is. I’ll come to the school and we can look for him.”
 Emma drove up at the school minutes later. She’d probably broken a dozen traffic violations in the process, but there was little chance David would put his deputy behind bars.
 Killian waited on the sidewalk, and she motioned for him to get in the car. “He just left?!” she asked as soon as he was seated beside her.
 “Aye. Some of the teachers saw him leaving, but assumed he was going to get on the bus.”
 “Shit,” she swore as she put the car in drive and pulled onto the road. The only solution she knew of was driving around until they found some sign of him. “Why the hell would he do something like this? I don’t let him walk up the street to Granny’s alone.”
 “I’ve no idea. It’s certainly not like him.”
 They drove into town, hoping to see Henry sitting on a bench or looking in a store window. Emma had driven up the same street twice now when she asked, “Didn’t you say you were going to the park? Maybe he’s there.”
 “It’s worth trying.” She stopped in the middle of the road and made a sharp U-turn, not noticing when Killian grabbed the handle above his seat. She felt her stomach spin right along with the car and ignored the sounds of blaring car horns and curses from their exasperated drivers. Her son was worth committing a traffic violation for.
 Seeing their son playing his Gameboy by the park entrance nearly made Emma cry with relief. “Henry!” she called as they approached him. “What are you doing here? You had us worried sick! You know you shouldn’t have come alone.”
 “Sorry.” The boy winced as Emma embraced him. “I wanted to get you both here.”
 “Lad, if that were the case, I could easily have asked your mother to join us.” He tried to smile, but she could tell his nerves were shot, like her own.
 Henry hung his head, realizing how much stress he’d caused. “Sorry,” he apologized again.
 “It’s okay, just don’t do it again. Now, why did you want us both here?”
 “Oh.” She released him as he reached into his backpack and looked through its contents. “I brought you here for your date.”
 Emma was sure she misheard him. She and Killian looked back and forth from each other to their son, confused. “Kid, what are you talking about?”
 “I figured you wouldn’t give each other another chance without a push. So, here’s your push.” He pulled a paper bag from his backpack and held it up. “I got donuts from the bakery. Dibs on the chocolate frosted.”
 He set them up for a date? “For the record, I had nothing to do with this, Swan,” Killian explained. “Er, not that I truly mind the idea of- nevermind.”
 Henry took a donut (chocolate frosted) and gave the bag to her. “I’m gonna take this and play my Game Boy over there.” He nodded toward another bench several feet away. “And you two are gonna eat donuts and talk about...whatever grown ups talk about. I threw this together in a hurry.” He took his things and ran to the other bench before she or Killian could object.
 “Apologies, love. I don’t know where he got the idea from.”
 “I do,” she admitted. “He’s been asking questions about us. But I didn’t picture him going this far.”
 She and Killian stared at each other, both at a loss for words. He broke the silence by gesturing to the bag in her hands. “Might as well take advantage of those. Don’t want them to go to waste.” He smiled, and she couldn’t help but laugh despite how awkward it all was.
 His questionable decisions aside, Emma couldn’t stay mad at Henry as she polished off a bear claw. Killian sat on the opposite side of the bench, eating his own donut and pointedly avoiding her gaze. They’d both used the food as an excuse to sit in awkward silence, but there were things needed to be discussed.
 “I’ve got to give Henry some credit,” Killian said. “He’s a smart lad.”
 “I’m sorry. I really had no idea he’d do this. I understand if this makes you uncomfortable.”
 His brow furrowed in confusion. “Why would it make me uncomfortable, love?”
 Emma felt uncomfortable thinking of a response. It would be difficult to answer without revealing her feelings for him. “What we’ve got going with Henry has been great. But I don’t want this,” she gestured to the bag of donuts between them “to make you to feel like you owe me something more because have a kid together.”
 “This doesn’t make me feel anything like that, Swan.”
 Her heart sank. “What do you mean?” She was scared to hear the answer. Was he going to tell her any chance of rekindling what they had was gone?
“What I mean is that I’ve spent the better part of ten years trying to move on from you. I thought perhaps as time passed, it would be easier to put things behind me. But that never worked.” Killian looked at her with such intense fervor in his eyes that she found it impossible to tear her gaze from him. “I attempted to stay occupied with school, and then my job after graduating. I told you about Milah, and while I cared for her a great deal, I wonder now if things would have worked out between us. Because I’ve accepted that my heart is yours, love. I think it always has been.”
 Emma stared at him, dumbfounded. His words had put most of her fears to rest. “Are you saying you want another go at this?” she asked, her voice uneven. “At us?”
 “That’s ultimately up to you. But, if I’m being truthful, then, yes. I do.”
 She looked away from him, staring at her hands folded in her lap. “You’re putting a lot of faith in me considering I fucked up the last time. Killian, I was too scared to consider us having a future. I kept Henry from you for ten years!”
 “Which I’ve since forgiven you for.”
 “Still, that doesn’t mean I won’t unintentionally do something to hurt you again. I don’t want you to put your heart on the line when I’m not sure I can be the person you deserve.”
 “You don’t have to be sure for me to know what I want. I have faith in you, love. I only wish you had it in yourself.”
 Emma bit her lip to hold back the tears that pricked her eyes. He was again choosing to see the best in her despite everything that happened in the past. The real question was, could she put aside her own fears and insecurities to do the same?
 “Okay,” she breathed.
 “Okay?”
 “I’m willing to give this a chance.” She glanced at him hesitantly. “That is, if you’re really sure.”
 The grin on his face was enough to answer her. “I’ve never been more sure of anything, Swan.”
 “Go out with me?” she asked before she lost her nerve. “Henry did a nice job with the donuts and all, but-”
 “Of course,” he answered, understanding she’d like something nicer for what would technically be their second first date. “I accept on one condition: you let me plan the evening.”
 “I know how to plan a date!”
 “I’m sure you do. Just let me have this one, Swan, and the next is all yours.”
 “Next? Confident, aren’t you?”
 “Perhaps,” he smirked. If it had been anyone else, she would’ve argued, but there was no winning this. Besides, she was eager to see what he had in mind.
 “Just let me know where and when.”
 “Would tonight be too soon?” he asked. “I’m sure it’s inconvenient, but considering how much time we’ve lost already…”
 He didn’t need to finish for her to understand. “Yeah, of course. Henry can stay with David and Mary Margaret.” She didn’t know if they were free tonight, but figured this was the perfect time to cash in on helping Mary Margaret with the dance several weeks ago.
 “Perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven?”
 “I’ll be waiting.”
 -/-
 “Where are you going?” Henry leaned against the bathroom doorway and watched as she stood at the mirror getting ready.
 “No idea. Your dad’s doing all the planning.” Emma finished her makeup and began to style her hair, the brush shaking a bit in her hands. She hadn’t expected to be so nervous. It had been over a year since her last date, but this was different. Tonight would determine if she and Killian were capable of fully rekindling their relationship.
 She saw Henry smirk out of the corner of her eye. “Bet you’re not so mad at me for setting you up today, are you?”
 “No. Just don’t do it again,” she reminded him, tying her hair into a low ponytail and following him out of the bathroom. “You should get your stuff and head up to David and Mary Margaret’s. Killian should be here soon.” Truthfully, she didn’t want Henry around when his father arrived in case he asked questions they couldn’t answer yet.
 Ten minutes later, Henry was upstairs with his aunt and uncle. Emma had never told Mary Margaret why she needed a babysitter, and groaned as she thought of the lecture she’d receive once she and David found out she’d been with Killian. She finished dressing in her outfit from the school dance as there was a knock at the door. Her heart pounded as she grabbed her purse and gave herself a once-over in the mirror.
 She didn’t know what to expect when she opened the door. But seeing Killian also dressed in his outfit from the dance made her want to laugh. (She thought of the Halloween party they’d attended not long after they met. They surprised each other by both dressing as Harry Potter characters. He told her that night they were more alike than they thought, and he wasn’t wrong.) And maybe something else, too. The way the leather jacket and tight jeans clung to him had ignited something in her several weeks ago she’d almost forgotten had existed. But tonight, it was all for her, and she felt warm enough to melt into a puddle at his feet.
 “You look stunning, Swan.”
 She struggled for words “You look-”
 “I know.” He held out his hand and she took it, closing the door behind her.
 “Where are we going?”
 “You’ll see, love. I think you’ll approve.”
 They walked hand in hand across town, reminiscent of the nights they ditched homework for walking around Boston together for hours. If not for Henry and everything else that happened over the past decade, she might have found it possible to believe no time had passed.
 “Here we are.” Killian stopped when they arrived at the Italian restaurant by the docks. She and Henry had come a few times since moving to Storybrooke, and it had since become one of their favorite places. “The lad might have mentioned your liking for the lasagna.”
 “He was right,” she told him as they walked inside. “Don’t tell Granny, but it’s not the same frozen.”
 “Careful, Swan. You may find yourself in trouble if someone overhears you.”
 The night went better than she could have hoped for. All talk of heartbreak and the past was put aside for casual conversation, again like the nights they spent together during their senior year when homework and professors were their biggest problems.
 “I’m afraid you’re right, love,” Killian agreed when she’d convinced him to try the lasagna. “This is certainly better than whatever it is that Granny serves.”
 “And you told me to watch my words. You’d be in jeopardy of not being her favorite customer anymore if she finds out.”
 She told him stories of difficult bail jumpers she encountered in New York, and he shared the shenanigans of his last group of students in Seattle. Although she’d learned he was in Storybrooke several months ago now, it was still difficult to comprehend how they wound up back in each other’s orbit after so much time apart.
 “You seem to be doing a wonderful job with your class.” Emma smiled as she took a bite from the ice cream dish they’d decided to split after dinner. “I can’t speak for the other kids, but Henry’s grades are the best they’ve ever been.”
 Killian shrugged as his face flushed pink with slight embarrassment. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I can’t take much credit. He’s a smart lad...although I may be slightly biased. You’ve done well with him, Swan.”
 “So have you. No, I mean it,” Emma continued when he looked unconvinced. “I know it’s only been a few months now, but you mean the world to him and I can already tell what a positive impact you’ve had on his life. Don’t sell yourself short.”
 He reached across the table for her hand and held it in his for a moment before replying. “You don’t know how much that means to me, love.”
 “It’s true. Even though it disappoints him you don’t think Pop Tarts are an acceptable breakfast.”
 “I’m just looking out for the boy’s health! Swan, are you aware of how much sugar and chemicals are in those bloody things?”
 “The sugar and chemicals are what make those bloody things good.” She laughed as he cringed at her poor imitation of his accent.
 Emma realized how much she wanted this as he sat across from her and talked about their son, telling her some joke Henry had shared with him in class the day before. There might always be fear of the worst happening or walls of hers needing to be broken down, but something told her it would be worth it. Killian had proved over the last few months he was in for the long haul as far as Henry was concerned. It wasn’t hard to believe he’d do the same for her.
 There was a shared sense of disappointment when they arrived back at her apartment. “I would invite you in for coffee, but I should get Henry from David and Mary Margaret. It’s almost his bedtime.”
 “I suppose we’ll just have to wait until next time.”
 “Again with the next time? I don’t remember asking.”
 “That’s because it’s my turn. Will you go out with me again?” A hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes- not nervousness, but desire.
 Emma knew her answer before the words left his mouth. But instead of speaking, she responded the way she’d wanted to for weeks now.
 Killian saw her leaning in and closed the distance between them. The first press of his lips to hers was soft, hesitant even. She encouraged him for more, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him flush against her. His own hands moved to her waist, under the jacket she’d pilfered from him at the restaurant.
 It was hard not to groan when his tongue traced the seam of her lips, and like everything tonight, it reminded her what could exist between them. There were many things she loved about Killian Jones, but his ability to set her heart racing like nothing else stood out among the rest.
 (Yes, she loved him. She was done trying to deny it.)
 Regretfully, he broke the kiss to come up for air. “That was…”
 “Yeah.”
 “I should let you go.” She slipped off his jacket and returned it to him. “Tell the lad I’ll see him tomorrow?”
 “I will. Night, Killian.”
 “Goodnight, love.”
 -/-
 As expected, David and Mary Margaret lost their minds over the date.
 Mary Margaret seemed disappointed she missed out on “all the fun.” David crossed his arms and asked a number of thorough questions.
 “We had dinner, Dad.” Emma rolled her eyes.
 “I’m making sure he was a gentleman!”
 The questions continued when they came over Tuesday night.
 “When are you going out again? What are you going to do? Have you picked an outfi-”
 “Geez, Mary Margaret,” Emma interrupted. “Can we slow down a bit?”
 “Sorry! I’m excited.”
 “Just be glad she’s not like Uncle David,” Henry pointed out. “Then you’d have both acting like your parents.”
 “Hey!” the uncle in question protested.
 Emma smiled. “It’s okay, David. I’m glad you care so much.” She turned to Mary Margaret. “I don’t know when we’re going out or what we’re doing. I’ll choose my outfit when the time comes.”
 “Go out Saturday. I’m going to a sleepover at Nicholas’,” her son informed her.
 “When were you going to tell me this?”
 “Uh, now?”
 “Good call. I’ll see if he’s doing anything Saturday night.”
 Mary Margaret squealed with joy.
 David leaned over and whispered, “I think she’s more excited than you.”
 “You think?”
 -/-
 Emma lost count of how many times she’d cleaned the apartment on Saturday. When she came back from taking Henry to his sleepover at six, it felt like returning to a stranger’s home. It hadn’t been this tidy since they moved in. Killian hadn’t minded her messy college apartment years earlier, but she prefered resembling a mature adult who somewhat had her life together.
 She’d invited him over at seven for pizza and a movie. It seemed like a boring date, but Killian wasn’t hard to please, and the pizza place delivered.
 (The added bonus of having the loft to herself tonight didn’t hurt.)
 Killian arrived at five to seven, after the pizza was dropped off.
 “Hello, love.”
 “Hi.” She stepped back from the door to let him in. “Thanks for coming. I know it’s not anything exciting, but…”
 “Nonsense. Time spent in your company is exciting enough.”
 “I’m glad you think so.” She stood on her toes to kiss him briefly, and it was enough to ignite the feeling in her stomach she refused to call ‘butterflies’. “Is Prisoner of Azkaban still your favorite Harry Potter movie?” They’d broken up before the last few were released, but she doubted this had changed thanks to his fondness for Lupin.
 “Aye.”
 “Good. If you still like bacon on pizza, we’re in luck.”
 He did like bacon on pizza, thankfully. Said pizza was demolished as they watched Harry use the Marauder’s map to sneak into Hogsmeade.
 “I can see why this is your favorite,” she said. “No one dies.”
 “That is an upside.” He chuckled. “I recall less than pleasant memories seeing the others.” They’d gone with David and Mary Margaret to the midnight premiere for Order of the Phoenix, and all four cried multiple times before it ended.
 “Do you remember the Halloween we both dressed in Gryffindor robes? I thought of it last Friday when we wore the same clothes from the school dance.”
 “I remember. I said something along the lines of us being more alike than you thought.”
 “More than being in the same Hogwarts house?”
 “Much more.” He smiled. “I never told you this, but that night was when I started to fall in love with you.”
 “Really? We barely knew each other, aside from complaining about Gold in class.”
 “That didn’t matter. Seeing you so excited about your house robe and wand did something for me, and by the end of the night, I knew you were special. For the record,” he continued, “my thoughts haven’t changed.”
 Emma didn’t hesitate before grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and fusing her mouth with his. She could tell the kiss surprised him, but he quickly welcomed it, one hand on her hip and the other tangled in her hair. It wasn’t unlike their kiss in the hall, but still different. Last time she’d needed to tend to Henry, and this thing between them was still new. Tonight, there were no distractions, and she was certain of what she wanted.
 She found herself in Killian’s lap, and ran her fingers through his messy hair as he continued to kiss her. His hand slipped under the hem of her sweater to rest on her waist, and she gasped slightly at the feel of it against her skin. He pulled back. “I’m sorry, love. I didn’t-“
 She cut him off with another kiss and reassured him by guiding his hand back to her waist. “Don’t apologize.”
 It hadn’t taken long for the kiss to become something more. It took even less time after she angled her hips just right against his and he gasped “Swan” against her lips for her to stand, taking his hand and guiding him to her bedroom.
 (Neither of them paid mind to the movie still playing or the pizza box they’d knocked onto the floor. They had ten years of lost time to make up for.)
 -/-
 Emma woke the next morning with an arm around her waist and lips pressing kisses to her bare shoulder. “Morning, love.”
 “Morning. Sleep well?”
 “Not a wink. Certain blonde kept me up all night.”
 The sound of her laugh was cut off by the door to the apartment slamming shut. “Mom?”
 “Dammit!” She’d forgotten Nicholas’ parents were bringing Henry home. “Just a minute, kid!” she called when she heard footsteps outside her room. “I’m getting dressed.” She jumped out of bed and grabbed an outfit from the closet as Killian quickly dressed in his own clothes.
 “What are you going to tell him, Swan?”
 “That’s a good question. There are some things I’m not ready for our nine year old to learn about yet.”
 “I understand, but it’s not as if we have many options.”
 She tried to think of a solution, and was contemplating telling Henry the awkward truth when he called, “I’m gonna take a shower.”
 “Now!” She brought Killian out when she heard the water turn on. “He’ll think you came over for breakfast or something.”
 They were making pancakes when Henry emerged fifteen minutes later, wet hair plastered to his head. “Dad?”
 “Morning, lad.”
 “Did you have fun at Nicholas’?” Emma asked.
 “Yeah. His mom made brownies and let us watch The Avengers.” He sat down at the kitchen table. “I didn’t know you guys were having a sleepover too.”
 She nearly dropped the bowl of pancake batter as she and Killian stared at each other dumbfounded. “What makes you think that?”
 “Nice job trying to trick me, but the coat rack gave it away when I got home.” Sure enough, Killian’s jacket still hung where he’d left it last night.
 “There’s no point in trying to fool him, Swan,” Killian whispered. “He’s smarter than either of us.”
 Emma turned to Henry. “Are you okay with all this?”
 “Why wouldn’t I be? You’re happy. I’m happy. And there’s pancakes!”
 She pulled him into a hug and laughed at his groan when she kissed the top of his head. “Sorry, kid. I’m not stopping anytime soon.” She extended her arm towards Killian, and he embraced both of them.
 “I love you guys,” Henry said. “But can I have pancakes now?”
 -/-
 “Eight fifteen, guys. Time to go!”
 It was Henry’s first day of fifth grade, his last year in elementary school. Emma had mixed feelings about how much he’d grown over the last eight months, but was grateful there were eight years before things like college and adulthood came into the picture.
 Killian came out of the bedroom as she finished making Henry’s sandwich. “Ready, lad?” he called up the stairs, adjusting the sleeve of his blazer.
 “I’ll be down in a minute.”
 He had moved into the loft with them once his lease had ended over the summer. They discussed buying a house in the future, but their current arrangement suited them for now.
 She smiled as she glanced over her shoulder and saw him dressed in his normal work attire, complete with the reading glasses she’d taken such a liking to. “How prepared are we for the new class, Professor Jones?” The nickname had stuck since she’d admitted to comparing him to Harrison Ford the first time she saw him wearing the glasses in his classroom.
 He came up behind her in the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m expecting all to go well. The children I met at open house seemed to like me. Although it’s going to be odd without Henry in the room.”
 “All his future teachers have big shoes to fill.” She knew Henry would miss being in Killian’s class, but he’d already taken a liking to Ariel, the fifth grade teacher who’d moved to Storybrooke a few months earlier.
 Their son came barreling down the stairs, school bag in one hand and a book in the other. “I’m ready.”
 She pulled away from Killian long enough to kiss him goodbye, much to his chagrin. “I’ll see you this afternoon. Love you.”
 Henry tried to nonchalantly wipe his cheek where she’d kissed it with his shirt sleeve. “Love you too.”
 Killian pulled her back to him and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Remember we’re having dinner at David and Mary Margaret’s. They’ll get suspicious if we’re late again,” she whispered where Henry couldn’t hear, thinking of the moment in the backseat of her bug that made them nearly twenty minutes late for the last family dinner. It was obvious her brother and sister-in-law hadn’t believed whatever excuse they’d come up with.
 “I’ll be there. I’ll even come early, if that’s any consolation.”
 “It is.”
 “Good. Do I get a kiss goodbye as well?”
 “I’ll consider it.” Emma turned in his arms and leaned in just as Henry made a gagging sound.
 “Ugh! You guys are so gross!”
 “Get used to it, kid.” She smiled as she kissed his father. “Something tells me this won’t change anytime soon.” That something was the ring box she knew was hidden in the back of Killian’s sock drawer. She’d found it last week when putting away the laundry, and hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it since. Maybe their six-month anniversary dinner Saturday night would be more eventful than she’d thought.
 “Not if I have anything to do with it, love,” Killian agreed. He turned to Henry. “And I’d be nice to me if I were you. Notice I didn’t object when you put Pop Tarts in the cart at the store yesterday.”
 “Huh. Love sure does make you do strange things.”
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the-darkdragonfly · 2 years
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A Trick of the Light - A Captain Swan Tale
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Chapter Two: Tide Line {coming soon}
Emma & Killian have found their way back to their own time, but finding their home again will prove to be another adventure entirely…The Tale of a reunited family, an inescapable destiny and the marvels of indoor plumbing.
Thank you to the world’s best beta and most wonderful human ever @elizabeethan❤
Catch up here.
♥️♥️♥️
"I can see three from here, lad," Killian heckled, delighting in Henry's frantic searching of the bookshelf, the small multicolored wrapped chocolates glittering in the morning sunlight. He had stayed up late, having plotted for weeks since learning of this pirate-approved holiday- it’s religious, babe, not pirateous- mapping out the perfect places to his grocery bag of loot- hiding treasure? That’s a pirate activity, Swan.
She had stolen a handful of eggs from his bag, and he tsked his tongue at her, setting a small egg on the ledge to ensure it would stay in place, before snatching it back and moving to the next location he had selected. “That’s not a word, Swan.” 
“It’s on Urban Dictionary,” she defended, cheeks bulging from the eggs she had popped into her mouth less he try to retake them. His answer was a disgruntled grunt and the side look he shot her told her exactly what he thought of the dictionary he had never heard of. 
The morning was slightly less chaotic than Christmas, but the children vibrated with an energy echoing the sugar which awaited them, and Killian couldn’t help but feel swept along with their enthusiasm, heart skipped as he watched Henry kneel and point to the eggs he had hidden in plain view for Hope.  
The sight settled something, a small piece of his soul which still remained anchorless and drifting, calling out to the memory of a home they left behind. This was better, his heart whispered, warm and solid in his chest, this is far, far better. 
Hope vibrated with excitement, hoping like a bunny through the living room as Henry helped her find enough eggs to fill her small basket. She was sated for the time being, small fingers diligently unwrapping yet another foiled chocolate egg- she probably doesn't need any more today, kid- attention entirely on her task as she ignored the dramatic hunt taking place in the next room, Killian’s laugh reverberating through the main floor- warmer…ah, no…. cooler now…. warmer- dressed in bunny pajamas Mary Margaret had brought the evening before, declaring she had informed the Easter Rabbit- it’s a bunny, Mom- that it was to stop by the loft on its way through town. 
They were heading to the loft for dinner, instructed to bring baskets for the eggs that the Rabbit would leave- rabbits are the same as bunnies, Emma- and the boardgame Henry was telling them about the weekend before. 
"Ugh."
"Getting warmer."
"I'm pretty sure you're cheating," Henry groused, dragging a chair from the kitchen over, the feet scraping angrily over the gleaming hardwood- aye, Swan, I do like this contraption- before hopping onto the seat, cawing gleefully when he seized a caramel filled egg from the top shelf. 
"I would never," Killian scoffed, hiding a smile behind the mug of coffee Emma had pressed into his palm, weary eyed and grumpy over the early morning- enjoy this for me, babe. 
"You do," Henry surveyed the room from his new perch, leaping down and dragging the chair behind him to retrieve two candies from the window ledge. “All the time!” 
He found two more eggs before gloating that there could not possibly be any more left hidden, and he was more than prepared to move on to the kitchen. Killian’s response was to raise an eyebrow, push dramatically away from where he had been lounging on the sofa and swipe four eggs Henry had missed from the picture frame above the mantel- Hey! Wait!- smirking as he unwrapped and popped them into his mouth. “Now, the living room is clear,” he ruffled Henry’s hair and picked the chair up to return it to the kitchen.
♥️♥️♥️
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swanqueeneverafter · 6 years
Text
43. Lily, Pt.2
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Storybrooke. The Mayor’s Mansion. Exterior. (Henry steps off the school bus and sees Pongo sitting alone outside.) Henry: “Hey, Pongo. What are you doing here? You shouldn't be out here by yourself. (Pongo runs away and Henry follows:) Pongo! Pongo! Pongo! (Pongo leads Henry to an alleyway:) Okay. Come here, boy. (Pongo begins to growl at him, baring his teeth:) Whoa. What's wrong? Calm down.” (Cruella arrives in her car, blocking the exit.) Cruella: “Don't blame the dog, darling. He's simply following orders, and I told him to fetch.” Henry: “What do you want?” Cruella: “I want you to be a good boy and get in the car.”  Storybrooke. The Mayor’s Mansion. (Regina exits the mansion with a suitcase, as Emma follows her, clearly not pleased. Opening the trunk of her car, Regina places the bag inside, ready for her journey to New York.) Emma: “Are you sure going to New York is a good idea? You don't know what Zelena has planned. What if you're walking into a trap?” Regina: “I cannot leave that child in the clutches of my psychotic sister. Robin's clueless, so I have no choice.” Emma: “You don't have to go alone.” Regina: “Don't worry about me. You have your hands full with the Author. I can handle one wicked sister.” Emma: “Things are different in New York. Without your magic... Listen. (Hands Regina her gun:) If you won't take me with you, I want you to take this. I hope you don't have to use it, but... I want you to stay safe.” Regina: (Taking it:) “Thank you. (Putting the gun in her bag:) So you're not... Angry with me for keeping your parents' secret?” Emma: “Not only did they lie but they put you in harms way to protect themselves. Trust me, it's between me and them, you were only trying to help.” (Both of their phones beep as they receive a message.) Regina: “It's Henry. Video message?” Emma: “Must be a thing now. I got one, too.” Henry: (Via Message:) “Mom, Mom, Cruella has me. If you ever wanna see me again, you have to do what she says.” Cruella: “Hello, darlings! As you can see, I have your dreadful son. If you prefer him to remain intact, you'll do exactly as I say... Kill the Author. Then, ah, bring me his broken little body, or... Your boy will meet a very unhappy ending. Hmm?”
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Mr. Gold's Cabin. (Mr. Gold returns to the cabin.) Isaac: “Finally. The joy of getting lost in a good book just isn't the same. Not after it happens to you literally.” Mr. Gold: “Stop talking. We haven't much time, now that you and Cruella have been reunited at last.” Isaac: “Cruella? No, I-I-I don't even...” Mr. Gold: “Enough. You both lied to me about your past, and now those lies are coming to the surface.” Isaac: (Springs to his feet:) “I'm sorry. Please don't hurt me. I-I didn't think it was... Relevant.” Mr. Gold: “Oh, it's not only relevant, it is essential to my plans. Cruella is so desperate to see you dead, she just kidnapped the Savior's son.” Isaac: “How do you know that?” Mr. Gold: “Well, you have your tools. (Conjures a crystal ball into his hand:) I have mine. I watched as Cruella gave the Savior a rather morbid choice... Either you die... Or her son dies.” Isaac: “Now hang on. You said you need me to get the Savior to go dark. This is how you plan to do it? By having her kill me?!” Mr. Gold: “Relax. If you died, the mantle of the Author simply passes on, perhaps to someone less willing to help me. No, no. I need you alive.” Isaac: “Then why work with Cruella, if she wants me dead?” Mr. Gold: “A person obsessed with vengeance is easy to manipulate. She thought I believed her happy ending was reconciling with her mother. But I knew she was after something else... Your death. Now I wanna know why. I wanna know precisely what you wrote about her, the exact words.” Isaac: “You wanna know? (Pulls out a card from his pocket:) Here. Read it for yourself. I'm better on the page, anyway.” (Mr. Gold reads the card and then chuckles.) Blanchard Loft. (Regina and Emma have come to the Charmings for help.) David: (Zooming in on the message on Emma’s phone:) “I recognize that trailhead marker. Cruella is holding Henry a couple of miles south of the toll bridge.” Mary Margaret: “So what now?” Regina: “Time to get our hands dirty and do whatever it takes to get him back.” David: “You're not actually considering Cruella's demand to kill the Author?” Regina: “Of course not. Even if we could find him, it wouldn't be half the fun of killing Cruella. Let's see how she likes being made into outerwear.” Mary Margaret: “Regina!” Regina: “What? It's Emma's heart we're trying to protect, not mine.” Emma: (Sitting arms folded:) “If we go in guns blazing, we risk hurting Henry. We have to find another way. And where the Author is. If he's enemies with Cruella, maybe he knows the best way to defeat her.” Mary Margaret: “Oh, we may be able to help with that.” David: “We went back to the convent and found a flask that we gave him. He dropped it when he escaped. A locator spell might work on it.” Emma: “Sounds like a perfect job for you two. I'll take Regina and we'll scope out the area where Cruella's holed up with Henry.” Mary Margaret: “Emma, I know you're still angry, but avoiding us is not going to help.” Emma: “I'm not avoiding you. With Henry's life on the line, I need to be around people I trust, and right now, that's not you.” (Regina and Emma leave as Mary Margaret is left speechless.)
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Storybrooke. The Woods. (Regina and Emma scour the woods looking for their son.) Regina: “I’m not saying what your parents did wasn’t horrific but you can’t hold it against them forever.” Emma: “Says the woman who held a grudge for half her life because a 10-year-old spilled a secret. The difference is that you never held yourself as some paragon of virtue. You were honest about who you were. My parents weren't. They said they were heroes.” Regina: “Even heroes make mistakes. You know, not long ago, your mother gave me some advice. She said I needed to believe I could still earn forgiveness, that I had a chance at grace. I didn't realize it then, but... She was talking about herself. Emma, she's been trying to make up for what she did for a long time.” Emma: “If you suddenly understand them so well, you forgive them. I can't.” Hook: (Catching up to them:) “Swan.” Regina: (As Hook approaches:) “If you want to punish your parents, why don’t you tell the pirate what they did to his child.” Hook: (Nods to Regina:) “Your majesty. Swan, your parents told me where to find you. I've headed many rescue missions.” Emma: (Nods:) “We’ll take all the help we can get.” Hook: “You know, not to sound paranoid but I get the impression the Charmings are deliberately avoiding me.” (Regina and Emma exchange looks.) Emma: (Deciding that now is not the time:) “We’ve got more important things to worry about right now, like saving Henry.” Elsewhere In The Forest. (Cruella is playing a game on her phone.) Cruella: “Blasted birds. I'll show you what angry looks like.” (Henry finds a piece of glass on the ground and uses it to cut his restraints. Once freed, he makes a run for it. Pongo barks.) Cruella: (Looking up from her phone, rolls her eyes:) “Pongo, sic!” (The dog chases after Henry.) Mr. Gold’s Cabin. (Mary Margaret and David burst into Mr. Gold's cabin.) Isaac: “Oh! Don't come any closer! Stay back!” David: “We're not gonna hurt you.” Mary Margaret: “We just want some information.” Isaac: “Unh-uh. I want some guarantees, because if I tell you everything, you just might kill the messenger.” Mary Margaret: “You're safe. Trust us.” Isaac: “Trust you? I've seen what you'll do to protect your daughter. (David lunges at the Author, pinning him against the wall:) Aah! Ow! Hey! You said you wouldn't h...” David: “What have you done with Emma?” Isaac: “Nothing. I was just trying to protect the world from Cruella. I had no idea that Gold would use her like this. Even I couldn't see the end to the story.” Mary Margaret: “What are you talking about?” Isaac: “Yours wasn’t the first story I meddled with. What I did to Cruella... it saved lives, I swear!” David: (Roaring:) “Stop your babbling and concentrate! How does this story end?” Isaac: “With the Savior... Turning dark.” (David releases Issac and the Author hands David the card he showed to Gold earlier.) Mary Margaret: “What is that?” Isaac: “Something I wrote. The truth.” David: (Reading the card:) “Cruella De Vil can no longer take away the life of another.” Isaac: “Do you see now? Henry's in no danger.” Mary Margaret: “Cruella can't kill anyone. She's defenseless.” David: “Emma doesn't know, which means Gold wants her to...” Mary Margaret: “We have to stop this.” (They rush out of the cabin.)
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Storybrooke. The Woods. (Henry is being chased by Pongo.) Henry: “Help me! Please! Help me! Help!” (Emma hears Henry screaming.) Emma: “It's Henry. Quick, it's coming from over there.” Hook: “No, it's this way.” Regina: “Has cannon fire damaged your hearing? It clearly came from over there.” Henry: “No! No! Help me, please!” Emma: “Split up. Go!” With Regina. Henry: “Somebody!” Regina: (Following her son’s voice:) “Henry?!” Henry: “Help me! Please!” Regina: “No.” (Regina finds a shell from which Henry’s voice is emitting.) With Hook. Hook: “Henry?!” Henry: “Somebody! Help me!” (Hook also finds a shell.) Hook: (Picking it up:) “Magic.” (As Hook walks off, we see that Mr. Gold is watching from a safe distance. Henry, meanwhile, runs to a cliff edge.) Henry: “Help me! Please, somebody... (The dog catches up to him:) Pongo...” Cruella: “Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? (Points her gun at him:) You shouldn't have run.” (Emma arrives.) Emma: “Henry!” Henry: “Mom!” (Cruella grabs Henry.) Emma: “Let him go!” Cruella: “I'm afraid not. Come any closer, and he dies. One small dead Author. That's all I asked. Simple revenge, and you failed utterly.” Emma: “Put the gun down, Cruella.” Henry: “Mom.” Emma: “It's gonna be okay, Henry.” Cruella: “I'll do it, Savior. Believe me, I will. (As Emma raises her hands:) Put your hands down, Savior. We both know you're bluffing.” Emma: “That's my son.” Cruella: “And you're a hero, and heroes don't kill.” (Emma uses her magic to push Cruella away from Henry. Cruella falls from the cliff edge to her death. Pongo immediately returns to normal.) Emma: “Henry?” Henry: “Mom.” (Emma rushes forward and hugs her son as Mary Margaret and David arrive too late.)
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The Enchanted Forest. Past. (The Apprentice seeks an audience with the Sorcerer. Appearing merely as bluish red smoke, the Sorcerer questions his Apprentice.) Sorcerer: “What brings you here?” Apprentice: “The Author... He has violated the rules. He has changed things. The Savior... He made me channel her potential for darkness into Maleficent's child. There must be a way to undo it.” Sorcerer: “I'm afraid not. What's done is done, my Apprentice.” Apprentice: “But what now of the girls, their fates?” Sorcerer: “They remain entwined, as they always were and always shall be.” Apprentice: “Of course.” Sorcerer: “Our concern now is the Author.” Apprentice: “I have taken care of that, master. Our mistake has been rectified. He is inside the book, where he can no longer alter our world... Only record what happens.” Sorcerer: “You must see to it there is no more damage. The Author must never be allowed to toy with fate again.” Storybrooke. Present. Cruella's Funeral. (Issac and Mr. Gold stand by Cruella’s grave. They are the only two people present.) Isaac: “When I took away Cruella’s ability to kill, I never thought it would come to this, that she of all people would be left defenseless.” Mr. Gold: “Don’t beat yourself up too much. Cruella killed her father, her mother and two step fathers simply because she enjoyed killing.” Issac: (Nods:) “Still, I'll miss her. Furs and all, I'll miss her. She was good to me... In her way. Made me who I am.” Mr. Gold: “Well, someone had to die at the Savior's hands.” Isaac: “Did they?” Mr. Gold: “We won't have what we need to rewrite the book, to secure our happy endings, until Ms. Swan has completed her journey. The Savior has taken the first step down a dark path. And we have to make sure she stays on it... For both our sakes.” (From across the way, Emma is watching Mr. Gold and the Author.) Granny’s Diner. A Short Time Later. (The Charmings, Hook, Henry and Regina share a table as Emma paces before them.) Emma: “I'm going after Gold. He made this happen. He needs to answer for it.” Hook: “Careful. Don't go off half-cocked.” David: “Hook's right. He wants you angry.” Emma: “Yeah, well, I am angry. That doesn't mean he's gonna get what he's after. Do I wish I could change what I did to Cruella? Yes. But that's regret, not darkness. (Meaningfully to her parents:) I think we've all done things we regret. Right now, we need to focus on one thing... How to keep Gold and the Author from causing any more damage.” Hook: “Actually, two things. (To the Charmings:) Now that I’ve got you here, I’d like to know what Ursula meant about you knowing what happened to my child?”
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(Maleficent enters.) Maleficent: “I might be able to help with that.” Hook: (Getting to his feet, surprised to see her:) “Mal...” Maleficent: “Stay seated, Killian. I’ll deal with you momentarily. (To the group:) It now appears we have a common foe... Rumplestiltskin.” David: “But... he resurrected you.” Maleficent: “To help himself, not me. Cruella's death only confirmed that.” Hook: “Oh. Now you want to turn on him before he turns on you.” Regina: (Smiling:) “I knew Gold couldn't keep the dragon on her leash for long.” Mary Margaret: “What do you want?” Maleficent: “Nothing from you. But your daughter, I hear, has a talent for finding people.” Emma: “Yeah, I do. Who do you want found?” Maleficent: “My daughter.” Hook: “Daughter? I have a daughter?” (Maleficent glares at Hook.) Mary Margaret: “She's alive?” Maleficent: “Yes. She survived the journey to this land... The journey you sent her on. (Hook turns to the Charmings who cannot meet his eye. Maleficent uses her powers to mute the pirate momentarily. To Emma:) You want to prevent Rumplestiltskin from achieving whatever he wants. What better way than leaving this town and helping me?” Emma: “I'm not running away from Gold.” Maleficent: “It's not running from him. It's hindering him.” Emma: “What do you know about her?” Maleficent: “Just what the Dark One showed me... That she was banished to this world 30 years ago, to a place called Minnesota, where she was adopted by a couple. And they named her Lilith.” Emma: (Realisation dawns:) “No.” (Emma quickly leaves the diner as Hook’s voice returns.) Hook: “Swan? What is it? (To Maleficent:) You and I need to talk, right bloody now.” 
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Storybrooke Sheriff’s Station. (Emma is scanning through microfiche for old newspapers. She finds a picture of a little girl in an adoption announcement. Noticing the star on the girl’s wrist, her suspicions are confirmed.) Emma: “Lily.” Mankato, Minnesota - 1999 (Emma and her foster family are preparing for vacation.) Emma: “Flashlight... Batteries... Canteen... Matches...” Bill: “How's the checklist going, Em?” Emma: “Good, I think. Uh, what's ‘G.O.R.P.’?” Katie: “Good Old Raisins and Peanuts. It's trail mix.” Zach: “Haven't you ever been camping before?” Emma: “I've never even been on a vacation before.” Bill: “Not everyone was lucky enough to grow up the way that you and your brother have. Emma, we're just happy that you're gonna spend your first family vacation with us.” Emma: “So am I. Oh. I almost forgot... Sleeping bag.” (Emma is in the garage, when she hears noise, grabbing a baseball bat, she readies herself. Curled up in the sleeping bag, she finds Lily.) Lily: “Emma, wait.” Emma: “Lily? What are you doing here?” Lily: “I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now. But, I... didn't have anywhere else to go.” Emma: “What's wrong? What happened?” Lily: “It's bad, Emma. I know I've lied to you before, but I really need your help.” Emma: “Why should I trust you now?” Lily: “Because I am in big trouble. You once said we'd be friends forever. Did you mean it? 'Cause I did.” (Bill enters.) Bill: “Emma? Who's this?” Emma: “This is... Lily. My friend.” Bill: “You never told me that you had friends in the neighbourhood.” Lily: “My foster family just moved here. I thought I would surprise her.” Bill: “Ah. Well, Lily, would you like to join us for dinner?”  Storybrooke Sheriff’s Station. Present. (Regina joins Emma.) Regina: “Ain't fate a bitch? You know this girl. How?” Emma: “She was my friend.” Regina: “Oh, the one you told me about. Who you said you pushed away?” Emma: “How is this possible? Of all the kids in the world, the one I end up friends with is the one my parents banished?” Regina: “Emma, there are powers beyond our understanding, and your parents messed with them.” Emma: “So the only friend I ever had wasn't even my friend by choice.” Regina: “I know. It hurts, doesn't it? I've been there, too.” Emma: “Yeah?” Regina: “You think it was a coincidence that I just so happened to adopt the Savior's son? Our actions are our own, but fate pushes us. Maybe it's time to push back.” Emma: “How?” Regina: “Well, I have to go to New York to rescue Robin and Roland from my insane sister, and you have to find this girl to redeem your parents and show Gold he's wrong about you... That he can't change you. What do you say we help each other?” Emma: “What, like a road trip?” Regina: “Well, if that's what you want to call it.” Emma: “I'm okay, Regina. I don't need a babysitter.” Regina: “But maybe I need you. You lived in New York. I've barely been outside of Storybrooke. Besides, I’m curious to see where you and Henry lived for that missing year. How about it, Swan? How about we make today the day we both beat fate?”
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hollyethecurious · 6 years
Text
Dark Hook Comes to Storybrooke - Chapter 7
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A Captain Swan, Season 1 Canon Divergence Collaboration by: @hollyethecurious, and @winterbaby89
Beta’d by: @ilovemesomekillianjones / Artwork by: @xhookswenchx
Rated M for language and dark themes (and maybe some sexy times… later ;o)
Summary: Moments before the Evil Queen’s Dark Curse whisks our beloved fairytale characters to Storybrooke, Captain Hook finally gets his revenge on the Crocodile. Twenty-eight years later, Killian Jones awakes in Storybrooke expecting just another ordinary day, that is until a number of abnormal occurrences disrupts his otherwise scheduled life. The greatest of which is a new face in town. A young woman by the name of Emma. Emma. What a lovely name…
Disclaimer: Canon dialogue and scenes from various episodes will appear within this fic. To Adam, Eddie, and the OUAT writers goes all the credit.
Line breaks indicate a change in POV or scene
Also available on ao3, winterbaby89′s fic page, and my fics page  /  Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Killian groaned as he rolled onto his back, his pulse pounding at a spot along his forehead above his left eye. Only vaguely aware that he was lying on the floor, he cursed himself for imbibing in too much rum before he remembered that he hadn’t had a drop. Then why the devil am I… the young woman!
Opening his eyes, grimacing against the brightness of the lights, he tentatively sat up and began assessing the room around him. The lass was long gone, and his office had been thoroughly ransacked. What had she been looking for? Did she locate whatever it was that was so important she’d break into my home and accost me? Killian wasn’t even sure he’d know if anything was missing. He hadn’t really considered any of the items within the office as his actual possessions since he’d been woken from the curse.
There must have been something of great importance hidden away in there, though. Why else would the woman take such a risk?
‘Changing my life.’
What could he possibly possess that would have any bearing on the life of a woman he didn’t even know?
One thing was for certain, the lass was scared, and in some sort of trouble. She needed help. Help she clearly wouldn’t accept from him, and Killian wasn’t about to involve the Sheriff. For one, he didn’t need the man snooping among his things as he investigated a home invasion, and two, Killian had a better option. Emma. If anyone could find and help the lass, he knew Swan could, she was The Saviour after all, and bloody brilliant to boot.
After taking a few moments to look around the office, just in case anything sparked a memory or idea of what the woman had been looking for, nothing did, Killian got cleaned up and headed out towards Ms. Blanchard’s loft. Still a tad unsure as to what he was going to say, Killian rapped at the door and waited for either Emma or Mary Margaret to open it.
“Thanks again for letting me have my stuff sent here, I’m so glad to finally have it.” Emma knelt before her meager possessions and basked in the small comfort she felt at being surrounded by something familiar.
“It’s no problem,” Mary Margaret replied as she brought over a plate and handed it off to a thankful Emma before she asked. “Is that all of your stuff?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is the rest in storage until you decide whether or not you’re going to accept Mr. Jones’ offer?”
“No. This is all of it.” The sad look on her new friend’s face had Emma feeling self-conscious, and she tried to tamp down the haunting thoughts and emotions that had plagued her for so much of her life. “I’m not sentimental.”
Perhaps sensing that she’d struck some kind of a nerve, Mary Margaret encouragingly added, “Well, it must make things easier when you have to move.” Small, understanding smiles passed between them as Mary Margaret sat herself down at the table to eat her breakfast, prompting Emma to do the same.
“So have you made a decision about which job offer to accept?”
“Maybe,” she shrugged nonchalantly as she took a bite of her breakfast.
“You know you can stay here, right?” Mary Margaret affirmed. “No matter which option you choose. I know it isn’t a house overlooking the ocean with an attractive man, who all but devours you with his eyes every time he sees you, living next door, but-”
Emma started to choke on her eggs as heat rushed to her cheeks. “He does not-”
“Oh, yes. He does.” Mary Margaret smirked behind the rim of her mug as Emma stared slack jawed.
A knock at the door provided a much needed interruption, and Emma was able to compose herself as Mary Margaret answered it. Composure she struggled to maintain as she heard the lilting tones of the very man her friend had just teased her about.
“Morning, Ms. Blanchard. Is Ms. Swan available?”
Emma stood and straightened her shoulders as she made her way to the door. Calling upon her defenses of sarcasm and wit, Emma rounded the door and teased, “Quick, Mary Margaret. Hide all the hot beverages.”
Killian attempted to give her an unamused smirk but hissed when his brow began to lift. Emma noticed a cut just above his brow and the bruising that had started to bloom around it.
“Jones! What happened?” she questioned as she gently swiped his hair aside to get a better look at the wound before she could think better of it.
Killian gave her a brief wide-eyed stare at the contact before he schooled his features and replied, “That’s why I’ve come, Swan. I need your help with something.”
Emma led him into the loft and offered him a seat. She saw him give Mary Margaret a pointed look that had the woman declaring that she’d be in the bath, though Emma knew that didn’t mean their conversation would actually be a private one.
“Someone broke into my house last night,” he began as he rubbed his hand along his jaw, and over his mouth. Discomfort over the invasion, or maybe at having been caught off guard in his own home, radiating off him in waves.
“Did you get a look at them?”
“Aye, it was a young woman. Very pregnant, and very insistent on finding something in my office. Something that she hoped would, and I quote, ‘change her life’.”
Astonished and overcome with a mixture of guilt, dread, and utter confusion as she realized that he could only be describing Ashley, the maid at the B&B she’d met the day before, Emma inquired, “Why didn’t you report this to the police?”
“I think you know the answer to that question quite well, love,” he clipped. “The Sheriff would spend more time investigating me, seeing as he’d finally have legal reason to search my premises, and less time finding the girl.”
Emma’s brows raised at the admission of not wishing to have his home searched, and started to wonder just how shady Jones’ business was. Something she probably should have questioned before now, but had allowed Henry’s fondness for him, and probably her own reactions, to blind her to the more nefarious side of Mr. Killian Jones.
“She’s a scared young woman, Swan. She’s pregnant, and going about searching for something that she’s willing to attack people over. I don’t want to make things harder on her by involving the police, not when I have every hope that you can find and help her.”
Emma could hardly keep up with the puzzle of a man that sat before her. Shady and potentially dangerous, as well as concerned and caring for others he saw as vulnerable and hurting. People like Ashley. People like Henry. She knew he was being honest in his motives, even if she did suspect that there was more he wasn’t telling her. She’d let that go for now, though. He was right, Ashley needed help, and Emma couldn’t help but feel guilty that the mess was partly her fault.
“Will you help me, love?” Killian’s question snapped Emma from her guilt induced musings.
Still a bit confused with why he seemed so eager to find and help some woman he didn’t know, a woman who had attacked him in his own home, she replied, “I’ll help her.”
Killian gave her an expression of being taken aback by her change in mood and demeanor, but before he could ask her about it the loft door swung open to reveal Henry.
“Hey, Emma. I thought we could… Killian!”
“Hello, Henry, my boy,” Killian beamed at the kid’s presence, spinning Emma’s perceptions of him once again.
“What are you doing here?” Henry asked.
“Oh, I was just enlisting Emma’s aid in a matter I needed help with.”
“Henry, what are you doing here?” Emma asked.
“My mom’s gone ‘til five, so I thought we could hang out. Wanna join us Killian?”
Emma was about to voice a protest when Killian responded, “Would that I could, lad. Unfortunately, I’ve other business to see to today.”
He stood and made his way to the door, ruffling Henry’s hair as he passed, which did absolutely nothing to Emma’s heart and stomach. Before leaving he turned back and said, “Good luck, Swan. Let me know when you’ve got everything sorted, yeah?”
“Yeah. Later, Jones.” A rigid tone clipped her words causing him to shoot a look of confusion and concern her way before he nodded and exited the loft.
Emma was left reeling as she departed from the Herman house. He’d played her. Sat right across from her in the loft and lied straight to her face. How did she not pick up on that? He’d made it seem as if he’d had no idea who the woman was, or why she attacked him, but now she knew the truth. Killian Jones had played her for a fool, and she wasn’t going to let him get away with it.
“I don’t get it,” Henry said as they made their way back to the diner to question Ruby once more. “Killian wouldn’t do something like this. It doesn’t make any sense. It has to be something to do with the curse.”
Emma could feel her anger rising to new levels at the mention of the curse, but she maintained some semblance of control before she could lash out at Henry. This wasn’t his fault. Jones had fooled them all, and he’d be lucky to get away with just a punch in the face from her, for what the truth about him would do to poor Henry.
“Curse or no curse, we are not going to allow Jones to take Ashley’s baby,” Emma stated emphatically. “Anyone who wants to be a mother should damn well be allowed to be one.” Her growing agitation made her miss the appreciative look Henry had cast her way.
Parking out front of Granny’s, Emma stormed up the walk toward the diner. Finding Ruby behind the counter Emma questioned, “Why didn't you tell me she sold the baby?”
“Because I didn't think it was important,” the brunette murmured as she skirted along the counter away from her and Henry.
“Really, considering that's why she's running away?”
Ruby continued to project an aloof air of indifference towards Emma’s pursuits, but begrudgingly replied, “Look, Ashley’s my friend. I don't like the idea of people judging her.”
A retort got caught in the back of Emma’s throat as she spied the red, glass wolf she’d seen hanging from the rearview mirror of Ruby’s car earlier now sitting on the ledge of the pass through window. Lifting it from it’s new resting place Emma shot a look out the front window and realized the vehicle was no longer there.
“Ruby, where's your car?” The guilty looked that passed over the woman’s face made everything fall into place. “You didn't send me to Sean to find her. You sent me there to give her a head start.”
“Look, I'm only trying to help her,” Ruby answered defensively.
“Yeah, so am I. Ashley's in more trouble than you know, Ruby. Where is she? Don't make her deal with Jones without me,” Emma pleaded.
Despite the lies and disgraceful business dealings, Emma didn’t think Killian would actually hurt Ashley, but she could admit that she’d been wrong about him before and couldn’t take the chance that she was wrong about him now. Not with a child at stake.
“I can't talk in front of him,” Ruby said as she glanced towards Henry. “He's the mayor's kid.”
“Hey, I'm on your side,” Henry argued as Emma could see Ruby’s resolve crumble in the face of her friend going up against Killian Jones alone.
“Henry,” Emma began as she turned to him and lowered her voice in a serious tone, “I need to find this woman, and in order to do that, I need you to go home, okay? So please listen to me, seriously. She's not gonna tell me anything if you're around.”
“Okay,” Henry agreed, surprising Emma with his quick compliance.
“Thank you.” She smiled after him as he headed out the door before she turned back to Ruby.
Time to get some answers and find Ashley, then I’ll deal with Killian Jones.
After leaving the matter of the young, pregnant woman in Swan’s capable hands, Killian made his way back to his home and began collecting all the paperwork he’d come across since waking from the curse. He boxed up a number of documents and transported them to the Jolly Roger where he could look them over in the familiar comfort of his cabin.
He knew from his cursed memories that he owned a substantial amount of land and properties within the town.  A number of deeds and leases were in his name and he’d exerted his authority as landlord over the wretched souls under his thumb for the entirety of his cursed state. These documents seemed to be different, however, and Killian was eager to try and uncover what possible treasures might be buried within their contents.
As he began sorting the stack he heard Henry calling out for him from above deck. Had he come with news? Did Emma send him to relay a message about the young woman?
“Down here, lad,” he responded, and carefully placed the papers back into the box for later inspection.
Henry’s usual bright and exuberant expression was clouded with a shroud of confusion and hurt.
“Henry, lad. What’s the matter?”
“Are you really going to take away Ashley’s baby?” Henry asked mournfully, making Killian’s brows knit together in utter confusion.
“Come again?”
“Ashley,” Henry stated as if the name should mean something to him. “You’re trying to take her baby.”
Who the blazes is Ashley? Was she the pregnant lass? Her baby?
“What in the bloody hell would I want with a baby?”
Completely confounded by the entire exchange, and doing a piss poor job of disguising it, Killian noticed a questioning glimmer flash behind the lad’s eyes as a look of suspicion overtook his features. Suspicion that seeped into his next words and made Killian wary that the lad was suspecting something amiss in his behavior.
“But Mr. Herman said he made a deal with you. That there’s a contract saying Ashley has to give her baby to you once its born.”
Concerns of Henry’s speculations aside, this news further added to Killian’s bewilderment. A contract? For a baby? That didn’t sound like one of his tactics pre or post curse. He was a pirate. He swindled, and cheated, and threatened in order to get what he wanted, and he most certainly did not want a baby. Not like this, anyway.
Contracts were too legal, too binding, too… too much like something The Dark One would do.
Bloody Crocodile.
This had to be his doing. A deal made long before the curse which left Ashley, or whoever she truly was, beholden to the imp, and now him. The curse using it’s dark magic to manipulate those things that had once been in Rumplestiltskin’s name and replaced it with the name of the new Dark One. Him.
Before Killian’s thoughts could become too befuddled with the mind-fuck that was Regina’s curse - Had the poor lass been nine months pregnant for the past twenty-eight years? - his phone rang, causing both he and Henry to jump at the noise.
“Jones,” he snapped as way of greeting as he answered.
“Mr. Jones, this is Nurse Gladys at Storybrooke Hospital. I’m calling to let you know that we’ve received word from a Ms. Emma Swan that Ashley Boyd is in labor, and on her way in. As Ms. Boyd’s listed emergency contact, we wanted you to be aware.”
Killian pinched the bridge of his nose as he replied, “Aye. Of course. Thank you for the notification.”
Very aware of Henry’s look of suspicion, and resigned to the fact that Emma must think him the worst kind of monster for his perceived involvement in such a dishonorable scheme, Killian ran his hand along his jaw as he determined how to proceed. He in no way intended to take a babe from its mother’s arms, but everyone believed that he had a deal in place, and no one gets out of a deal with Killian Jones. His reputation in town was built upon that fact. A plan started to form in his mind as he made his way above deck, Henry following closely at his heels.
“Was that about Ashley?”
“Aye. She’s in labor. Your mother is taking her to the hospital as we speak.”
“I’m coming with you,” Henry declared, and Killian had not the time nor the energy to argue with the lad. Killian grabbed the helmet from his bike, and thrust it in Henry’s direction, “If you ride, you wear a helmet. Your mother is liable to kill me regardless, but I’ll not risk your safety.”
Killian and Henry made it to the hospital in record time and were approaching the entrance as they caught sight of Ashley being wheeled in by an orderly with Emma following behind. Ashley turned back, presumably to say something to Emma, when she caught sight of Killian and visibly paled. Seeing the woman’s distress, Emma looked over her shoulder and stiffened as Ashley gave voice to her fear.
“He's gonna take my baby.”
Killian halted, shame washing over him that he should inspire such trepidation in an innocent, young woman. He looked over at Henry who shared his downcast gaze and felt sure this was the beginning of the end. Emma would never allow her son to associate with someone like him, not this version of him. The pirate. The villain.
Emma stopped the orderly and crouched down next to Ashley as she assured, “I won't let that happen, but do you know what you're asking for? If you keep this child, are you really ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure? Because I wasn't.”
Killian saw Henry’s head snap up at her words and he couldn’t imagine how Henry was feeling. The weight of the entire ordeal fully settled upon him as Killian continued to listen to Emma’s confession.
“If you want to give this kid its best chance, it's gonna be with someone who's ready, so know what that means. Your whole life is gonna change, and once you decide that it's yours, running away can't happen. You have to grow up, and you can't ever leave. Understand?”
“Yes. I want my baby.”
Emma gave the orderly a nod to continue on before she rounded on Killian.
“Henry, go and wait for me in the lobby,” she commanded.
Henry gave Killian one last look before he departed. A look that still held an edge of speculation amid the concern and melancholy. After the lad was well inside, and unable to overhear the imminent confrontation Killian broke the silent standoff.
“You found her, I see.” He continued in his approach though she barred him from the hospital entrance, placing a hand against his chest to stop him from entering.
Just as they had in the pawn shop, visions began to overtake him. Memories of the girl, Ashley... no, that wasn’t her name, her true name was Ella. She was Cinderella, and she had made a deal. A deal she had not fully understood. A deal she had gone back on with dire consequences.
“Why didn't you tell me? Why did you pretend to not know who she was?” Emma’s question pulled him from the memory and he could tell that she was doing her best to keep the hurt from his perceived lies to her out her voice. Projecting her abject anger at the repulsive nature of the situation, and his role in it.
“I was honest with you about not knowing who she was, Swan, truly.” Using the newly acquired information the memory provided him, Killian began to craft a plausible, half-truth explanation. “The deal was brokered by a third party. I wasn’t given the woman’s name. The deal was that she would receive compensation in exchange for the child. Once the child was in my possession I’d be charged with finding it a suitable home.”
“You're not getting that kid.” Killian had no intention of leaving the hospital with the child, but it seemed Swan already had him pegged as a villain.
“Actually, we have an agreement.” Killian decided that in order to maintain his cover as his cursed self he’d have to play his part. If it’s a villain she wants, then so be it, “And there’s a contract that must be honored.”
“Tear it up.”
“That's not what I do, love.” Unable to resist some theatrics, Killian flourished a bit as he added, “But, I’m not a heartless man. How about I let Ms. Boyd keep her baby, and you’ll simply owe me a favor.”  
“I’m not going to work for you, Jones. I’ve already accepted the Deputy position.”  
“Have you now?” Flippant in his response, he tried to mask how much the news hurt him.
“Yeah.”
“Well then it seems the better man has won,” he declared, a softer tone lacing his words as he became tired of the facade. “For what it’s worth, Swan, I think you’ll make a brilliant Deputy.” Hope stirred in the back of his chest as she seemed to lose a bit of her bite at his words. A slight blush tinted her cheeks and she gave him a mixed look of disbelief and gratitude at the compliment. It lasted only a moment before she fixed him again with a hard stare.
“I’ll just owe you a favor?” she clarified with lifted brow
“Aye, love.”
“Deal.” Killian’s skin crawled, but he was heartened at their accord and the chance it might give him to redeem himself in her eyes.
The nurse picked that moment to walk outside to notify them of the successful birth of Ashley’s baby. “I guess I’ll take my leave. Please do pass along my congratulations to Ms. Boyd.” Killian turned, and headed back to his bike before Emma even had the chance to respond.
“You know, Emma, you're different.” The comment sounded odd coming  from Henry, as they made their way to drop him off at Regina’s before she could get home and notice he had been gone.
“What's that?”
“You're the only one who can do it.”
She tried to not get frustrated with Henry and his love of being cryptic. An unintended touch of agitation seeped into her voice as she retorted, “Break the curse? Yes, I know. You keep telling me that.”
“No,” Henry paused to roll his eyes at her, before continuing, “leave. You're the only one who can leave Storybrooke.”
Unsure of where he was headed with this conversation Emma replied, “You left, and found me in Boston.”
“But I came back. I'm 10. I had no choice, but if anyone else tried to go, bad things would happen.” Henry sounded as though that was the most obvious thing in the world, the verbal equivalent of rolling his eyes. Cheeky little kid.
“Nobody? Except Me?”
“You're The Saviour. You can do whatever you want. You can leave.”
Why is he telling me this? Is he testing me? Trying to tell me to leave? She stopped that train of thought there, she was getting way ahead of herself. Henry wouldn’t have tracked her down in Boston if he didn’t want her to be there. Unless he’s tired of me already, realized how much of a mistake it was to find me, how broken I am. No! No, that can’t be, just this morning he came to me, wanting to spend the day together. She knew she was working herself up into a frenzy and needed a new topic to fixate on, so she decided to ask Henry about the other thing she’d been stewing over all day.
“By the way, I meant to ask you earlier. What were you doing with Killian Jones at the hospital?” Genuinely curious about his response, Emma looked at Henry as much as she could manage as she drove.
“I was with him when he got the call about Ashley.”
Emma tried to not sound as confused as she felt, and quickly questioned, “Why? Why do you spend so much time with the guy and invite him along everywhere?”
“He’s my friend.”
“Your friend?”
“Yeah, my best friend… my only friend, actually.”
Emma’s heart broke at his response, and the melancholic tone he couldn’t disguise in his voice. After Henry’s statement about his friendship with Killian, they both turned within themselves. Emma was still trying to figure Killian out, she knew now that he didn’t exactly lie to her. But she couldn’t reconcile the man who would buy and sell a child with the man who had befriended her son and shown such care and consideration in other matters. She may not be able to get a handle on her thoughts and feelings for Jones, but she was willing to try and accept him for Henry’s sake.
"Pumpkin,” Emma offered, wanting to break the introspective tension in the car. “My code name,” she clarified at Henry’s confused look. “I was thinking, in honor of Cinderella, Pumpkin.” Henry shook his head. “You got a better one in mind?”
“Yep.”
Yeah, this kid loves to be cryptic, she thought sardonically. “Well?”
“I'm not sure you're ready yet.” After the words were spoken, Henry got out of the car and headed for the gate, but before he could run up the walk Emma called out to him.
“Henry! About what you said… about me being able to leave.”
“Yeah?”
“See you tomorrow.” Henry’s face split into the biggest grin she’d seen on him yet at her promise of tomorrow.
She pulled the bug a few blocks away, wanting to make sure that Regina wouldn’t be able to see her once she got home. Emma turned off the bug and called Graham to accept the job offer, figuring she ought to, seeing as how she’d already told Killian that she had.
“Hello? Graham, it's Emma. That deputy job still open?”
“Absolutely.” Graham’s response came through the phone not even a second after she finished her question. Has he been dreading me working with Jones that much?
“Then I'm in.” Feeling the need to ask, but not overly concerned with the answer, since this was her life to do as she pleases,  Emma continued, “Regina gonna be okay with this?”
“I don't care. It's my department. I'll see you Monday morning.”
Oh yeah, this is gonna be interesting. “I'll see ya.”
Killian stopped at Granny’s before heading back to the Jolly Roger and placed an order to-go before making use of the facilities. As he turned the corner towards the restroom he practically ran into Regina as she exited the back stairs. Obviously startled by his presence it took her a moment to regain her cool facade before issuing him an overly civil, “Mr. Jones,” before she swept past him and out the back door.
Strange. Henry said she’d be gone all day, what on earth was she doing up there?
The answer to that question came as he exited the restroom moments later only to run into Sheriff Humbert. Sheriff Humbert and traces of the Mayor’s shade of lipstick along his neck and jaw.
“Not really your shade, mate,” Killian smirked as he pointedly glanced at the smudge of lipstick on the man’s neck.
Eyes wide, Graham rubbed at the traitorous mark as Killian quipped, “I hear congratulations are in order.”  
“For what?” Graham eyed him warily.
“Your new deputy.”  
“How could you possibly know that already?” Graham questioned scathingly. “She just called me.”
Graham’s confirmation that Emma had not been altogether truthful at the hospital earlier, but had decided to accept the position anyway, added to Killian’s growing agitation with the entire blasted day. A day that had cost him precious ground with Emma, and left him on a precarious perch with Henry. It hadn’t been a total loss, however, not in light of the new morsel of information he’d just stumbled across. The Mayor and the Sheriff. What would Emma and Henry have to say about their illicit rendezvous?
“That’s not all I know, mate.” Killian winked as he smirked at the red faced Sheriff, before brushing past him to collect his take out.
No, indeed. The day hadn’t been a complete loss. Emma owed him a favor, Regina and Graham were going to have to pay up if they wanted Killian’s discretion, and, as Killian was about to learn, the stack of documents awaiting him on the Jolly Roger provided him even greater leverage and property within Storybrooke. Property that included the pawn shop, and all that it held.
Chapter 8
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winterbaby89 · 6 years
Text
Dark Hook Comes to Storybrooke - Chapter Seven
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A Captain Swan, Season 1 Canon Divergence Collaboration by: @hollyethecurious, and @winterbaby89
Beta’d by: @ilovemesomekillianjones
Amazing Artwork by: @xhookswenchx
Rated M for language and dark themes (and maybe (probably) some sexy times… later ;o)
Summary: Moments before the Evil Queen’s Dark Curse whisks our beloved fairytale characters to Storybrooke, Captain Hook finally gets his revenge on the Crocodile. Twenty-eight years later, Killian Jones awakes in Storybrooke expecting just another ordinary day, that is until a number of abnormal occurrences disrupts his otherwise scheduled life. The greatest of which is a new face in town. A young woman by the name of Emma. Emma. What a lovely name…
Disclaimer: Canon dialogue and scenes from various episodes will appear within this fic. To Adam, Eddie, and the OUAT writers goes all the credit.
Line breaks indicate change in POV or Scene.
Also available on ao3, my fic page, and Hollye′s fic page And if you want to catch up on the last chapter.
Chapter Seven
Killian groaned as he rolled onto his back, his pulse pounding at a spot along his forehead above his left eye. Only vaguely aware that he was lying on the floor, he cursed himself for imbibing in too much rum before he remembered that he hadn’t had a drop. Then why the devil am I… the young woman!
Opening his eyes, grimacing against the brightness of the lights, he tentatively sat up and began assessing the room around him. The lass was long gone, and his office had been thoroughly ransacked. What had she been looking for? Did she locate whatever it was that was so important she’d break into my home and accost me? Killian wasn’t even sure he’d know if anything was missing. He hadn’t really considered any of the items within the office as his actual possessions since he’d been woken from the curse.
There must have been something of great importance hidden away in there, though. Why else would the woman take such a risk?
‘Changing my life.’
What could he possibly possess that would have any bearing on the life of a woman he didn’t even know?
One thing was for certain, the lass was scared, and in some sort of trouble. She needed help. Help she clearly wouldn’t accept from him, and Killian wasn’t about to involve the Sheriff. For one, he didn’t need the man snooping among his things as he investigated a home invasion, and two, Killian had a better option. Emma. If anyone could find and help the lass, he knew Swan could, she was The Saviour after all, and bloody brilliant to boot.
After taking a few moments to look around the office, just in case anything sparked a memory or idea of what the woman had been looking for, nothing did, Killian got cleaned up and headed out towards Ms. Blanchard’s loft. Still a tad unsure as to what he was going to say, Killian rapped at the door and waited for either Emma or Mary Margaret to open it.
“Thanks again for letting me have my stuff sent here, I’m so glad to finally have it.” Emma knelt before her meager possessions and basked in the small comfort she felt at being surrounded by something familiar.
“It’s no problem,” Mary Margaret replied as she brought over a plate and handed it off to a thankful Emma before she asked. “Is that all of your stuff?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is the rest in storage until you decide whether or not you’re going to accept Mr. Jones’ offer?”
“No. This is all of it.” The sad look on her new friend’s face had Emma feeling self-conscious, and she tried to tamp down the haunting thoughts and emotions that had plagued her for so much of her life. “I’m not sentimental.”
Perhaps sensing that she’d struck some kind of a nerve, Mary Margaret encouragingly added, “Well, it must make things easier when you have to move.” Small, understanding smiles passed between them as Mary Margaret sat herself down at the table to eat her breakfast, prompting Emma to do the same.
“So have you made a decision about which job offer to accept?”
“Maybe,” she shrugged nonchalantly as she took a bite of her breakfast.
“You know you can stay here, right?” Mary Margaret affirmed. “No matter which option you choose. I know it isn’t a house overlooking the ocean with an attractive man, who all but devours you with his eyes every time he sees you, living next door, but-”
Emma started to choke on her eggs as heat rushed to her cheeks. “He does not-”
“Oh, yes. He does.” Mary Margaret smirked behind the rim of her mug as Emma stared slack jawed.
A knock at the door provided a much needed interruption, and Emma was able to compose herself as Mary Margaret answered it. Composure she struggled to maintain as she heard the lilting tones of the very man her friend had just teased her about.
“Morning, Ms. Blanchard. Is Ms. Swan available?”
Emma stood and straightened her shoulders as she made her way to the door. Calling upon her defenses of sarcasm and wit, Emma rounded the door and teased, “Quick, Mary Margaret. Hide all the hot beverages.”
Killian attempted to give her an unamused smirk but hissed when his brow began to lift. Emma noticed a cut just above his brow and the bruising that had started to bloom around it.
“Jones! What happened?” she questioned as she gently swiped his hair aside to get a better look at the wound before she could think better of it.
Killian gave her a brief wide-eyed stare at the contact before he schooled his features and replied, “That’s why I’ve come, Swan. I need your help with something.”
Emma led him into the loft and offered him a seat. She saw him give Mary Margaret a pointed look that had the woman declaring that she’d be in the bath, though Emma knew that didn’t mean their conversation would actually be a private one.
“Someone broke into my house last night,” he began as he rubbed his hand along his jaw, and over his mouth. Discomfort over the invasion, or maybe at having been caught off guard in his own home, radiating off him in waves.
“Did you get a look at them?”
“Aye, it was a young woman. Very pregnant, and very insistent on finding something in my office. Something that she hoped would, and I quote, ‘change her life’.”
Astonished and overcome with a mixture of guilt, dread, and utter confusion as she realized that he could only be describing Ashley, the maid at the B&B she’d met the day before, Emma inquired, “Why didn’t you report this to the police?”
“I think you know the answer to that question quite well, love,” he clipped. “The Sheriff would spend more time investigating me, seeing as he’d finally have legal reason to search my premises, and less time finding the girl.”
Emma’s brows raised at the admission of not wishing to have his home searched, and started to wonder just how shady Jones’ business was. Something she probably should have questioned before now, but had allowed Henry’s fondness for him, and probably her own reactions, to blind her to the more nefarious side of Mr. Killian Jones.
“She’s a scared young woman, Swan. She’s pregnant, and going about searching for something that she’s willing to attack people over. I don’t want to make things harder on her by involving the police, not when I have every hope that you can find and help her.”
Emma could hardly keep up with the puzzle of a man that sat before her. Shady and potentially dangerous, as well as concerned and caring for others he saw as vulnerable and hurting. People like Ashley. People like Henry. She knew he was being honest in his motives, even if she did suspect that there was more he wasn’t telling her. She’d let that go for now, though. He was right, Ashley needed help, and Emma couldn’t help but feel guilty that the mess was partly her fault.
“Will you help me, love?” Killian’s question snapped Emma from her guilt induced musings.
Still a bit confused with why he seemed so eager to find and help some woman he didn’t know, a woman who had attacked him in his own home, she replied, “I’ll help her.”
Killian gave her an expression of being taken aback by her change in mood and demeanor, but before he could ask her about it the loft door swung open to reveal Henry.
“Hey, Emma. I thought we could… Killian!”
“Hello, Henry, my boy,” Killian beamed at the kid’s presence, spinning Emma’s perceptions of him once again.
“What are you doing here?” Henry asked.
“Oh, I was just enlisting Emma’s aid in a matter I needed help with.”
“Henry, what are you doing here?” Emma asked.
“My mom’s gone ‘til five, so I thought we could hang out. Wanna join us Killian?”
Emma was about to voice a protest when Killian responded, “Would that I could, lad. Unfortunately, I’ve other business to see to today.”
He stood and made his way to the door, ruffling Henry’s hair as he passed, which did absolutely nothing to Emma’s heart and stomach. Before leaving he turned back and said, “Good luck, Swan. Let me know when you’ve got everything sorted, yeah?”
“Yeah. Later, Jones.” A rigid tone clipped her words causing him to shoot a look of confusion and concern her way before he nodded and exited the loft.
Emma was left reeling as she departed from the Herman house. He’d played her. Sat right across from her in the loft and lied straight to her face. How did she not pick up on that? He’d made it seem as if he’d had no idea who the woman was, or why she attacked him, but now she knew the truth. Killian Jones had played her for a fool, and she wasn’t going to let him get away with it.
“I don’t get it,” Henry said as they made their way back to the diner to question Ruby once more. “Killian wouldn’t do something like this. It doesn’t make any sense. It has to be something to do with the curse.”
Emma could feel her anger rising to new levels at the mention of the curse, but she maintained some semblance of control before she could lash out at Henry. This wasn’t his fault. Jones had fooled them all, and he’d be lucky to get away with just a punch in the face from her, for what the truth about him would do to poor Henry.
“Curse or no curse, we are not going to allow Jones to take Ashley’s baby,” Emma stated emphatically. “Anyone who wants to be a mother should damn well be allowed to be one.” Her growing agitation made her miss the appreciative look Henry had cast her way.
Parking out front of Granny’s, Emma stormed up the walk toward the diner. Finding Ruby behind the counter Emma questioned, “Why didn't you tell me she sold the baby?”
“Because I didn't think it was important,” the brunette murmured as she skirted along the counter away from her and Henry.
“Really, considering that's why she's running away?”
Ruby continued to project an aloof air of indifference towards Emma’s pursuits, but begrudgingly replied, “Look, Ashley’s my friend. I don't like the idea of people judging her.”
A retort got caught in the back of Emma’s throat as she spied the red, glass wolf she’d seen hanging from the rearview mirror of Ruby’s car earlier now sitting on the ledge of the pass through window. Lifting it from its new resting place Emma shot a look out the front window and realized the vehicle was no longer there.
“Ruby, where's your car?” The guilty looked that passed over the woman’s face made everything fall into place. “You didn't send me to Sean to find her. You sent me there to give her a head start.”
“Look, I'm only trying to help her,” Ruby answered defensively.
“Yeah, so am I. Ashley's in more trouble than you know, Ruby. Where is she? Don't make her deal with Jones without me,” Emma pleaded.
Despite the lies and disgraceful business dealings, Emma didn’t think Killian would actually hurt Ashley, but she could admit that she’d been wrong about him before and couldn’t take the chance that she was wrong about him now. Not with a child at stake.
“I can't talk in front of him,” Ruby said as she glanced towards Henry. “He's the mayor's kid.”
“Hey, I'm on your side,” Henry argued as Emma could see Ruby’s resolve crumble in the face of her friend going up against Killian Jones alone.
“Henry,” Emma began as she turned to him and lowered her voice in a serious tone, “I need to find this woman, and in order to do that, I need you to go home, okay? So please listen to me, seriously. She's not gonna tell me anything if you're around.”
“Okay,” Henry agreed, surprising Emma with his quick compliance.
“Thank you.” She smiled after him as he headed out the door before she turned back to Ruby.
Time to get some answers and find Ashley, then I’ll deal with Killian Jones.
After leaving the matter of the young, pregnant woman in Swan’s capable hands, Killian made his way back to his home and began collecting all the paperwork he’d come across since waking from the curse. He boxed up a number of documents and transported them to the Jolly Roger where he could look them over in the familiar comfort of his cabin.
He knew from his cursed memories that he owned a substantial amount of land and properties within the town.  A number of deeds and leases were in his name and he’d exerted his authority as landlord over the wretched souls under his thumb for the entirety of his cursed state. These documents seemed to be different, however, and Killian was eager to try and uncover what possible treasures might be buried within their contents.
As he began sorting the stack he heard Henry calling out for him from above deck. Had he come with news? Did Emma send him to relay a message about the young woman?
“Down here, lad,” he responded, and carefully placed the papers back into the box for later inspection.
Henry’s usual bright and exuberant expression was clouded with a shroud of confusion and hurt.
“Henry, lad. What’s the matter?”
“Are you really going to take away Ashley’s baby?” Henry asked mournfully, making Killian’s brows knit together in utter confusion.
“Come again?”
“Ashley,” Henry stated as if the name should mean something to him. “You’re trying to take her baby.”
Who the blazes is Ashley? Was she the pregnant lass? Her baby?
“What in the bloody hell would I want with a baby?”
Completely confounded by the entire exchange, and doing a piss poor job of disguising it, Killian noticed a questioning glimmer flash behind the lad’s eyes as a look of suspicion overtook his features. Suspicion that seeped into his next words and made Killian wary that the lad was suspecting something amiss in his behavior.
“But Mr. Herman said he made a deal with you. That there’s a contract saying Ashley has to give her baby to you once its born.”
Concerns of Henry’s speculations aside, this news further added to Killian’s bewilderment. A contract? For a baby? That didn’t sound like one of his tactics pre or post curse. He was a pirate. He swindled, and cheated, and threatened in order to get what he wanted, and he most certainly did not want a baby. Not like this, anyway.
Contracts were too legal, too binding, too… too much like something The Dark One would do.
Bloody Crocodile.
This had to be his doing. A deal made long before the curse which left Ashley, or whoever she truly was, beholden to the imp, and now him. The curse using its dark magic to manipulate those things that had once been in Rumplestiltskin’s name and replaced it with the name of the new Dark One. Him.
Before Killian’s thoughts could become too befuddled with the mind-fuck that was Regina’s curse - Had the poor lass been nine months pregnant for the past twenty-eight years? - his phone rang, causing both he and Henry to jump at the noise.
“Jones,” he snapped as way of greeting as he answered.
“Mr. Jones, this is Nurse Gladys at Storybrooke Hospital. I’m calling to let you know that we’ve received word from a Ms. Emma Swan that Ashley Boyd is in labor, and on her way in. As Ms. Boyd’s listed emergency contact, we wanted you to be aware.”
Killian pinched the bridge of his nose as he replied, “Aye. Of course. Thank you for the notification.”
Very aware of Henry’s look of suspicion, and resigned to the fact that Emma must think him the worst kind of monster for his perceived involvement in such a dishonorable scheme, Killian ran his hand along his jaw as he determined how to proceed. He in no way intended to take a babe from its mother’s arms, but everyone believed that he had a deal in place, and no one gets out of a deal with Killian Jones. His reputation in town was built upon that fact. A plan started to form in his mind as he made his way above deck, Henry following closely at his heels.
“Was that about Ashley?”
“Aye. She’s in labor. Your mother is taking her to the hospital as we speak.”
“I’m coming with you,” Henry declared, and Killian had not the time nor the energy to argue with the lad. Killian grabbed the helmet from his bike, and thrust it in Henry’s direction, “If you ride, you wear a helmet. Your mother is liable to kill me regardless, but I’ll not risk your safety.”
Killian and Henry made it to the hospital in record time and were approaching the entrance as they caught sight of Ashley being wheeled in by an orderly with Emma following behind. Ashley turned back, presumably to say something to Emma, when she caught sight of Killian and visibly paled. Seeing the woman’s distress, Emma looked over her shoulder and stiffened as Ashley gave voice to her fear.
“He's gonna take my baby.”
Killian halted, shame washing over him that he should inspire such trepidation in an innocent, young woman. He looked over at Henry who shared his downcast gaze and felt sure this was the beginning of the end. Emma would never allow her son to associate with someone like him, not this version of him. The pirate. The villain.
Emma stopped the orderly and crouched down next to Ashley as she assured, “I won't let that happen, but do you know what you're asking for? If you keep this child, are you really ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure? Because I wasn't.”
Killian saw Henry’s head snap up at her words and he couldn’t imagine how Henry was feeling. The weight of the entire ordeal fully settled upon him as Killian continued to listen to Emma’s confession.
“If you want to give this kid its best chance, it's gonna be with someone who's ready, so know what that means. Your whole life is gonna change, and once you decide that it's yours, running away can't happen. You have to grow up, and you can't ever leave. Understand?”
“Yes. I want my baby.”
Emma gave the orderly a nod to continue on before she rounded on Killian.
“Henry, go and wait for me in the lobby,” she commanded.
Henry gave Killian one last look before he departed. A look that still held an edge of speculation amid the concern and melancholy. After the lad was well inside, and unable to overhear the imminent confrontation Killian broke the silent standoff.
“You found her, I see.” He continued in his approach though she barred him from the hospital entrance, placing a hand against his chest to stop him from entering.
Just as they had in the pawn shop, visions began to overtake him. Memories of the girl, Ashley... no, that wasn’t her name, her true name was Ella. She was Cinderella, and she had made a deal. A deal she had not fully understood. A deal she had gone back on with dire consequences.
“Why didn't you tell me? Why did you pretend to not know who she was?” Emma’s question pulled him from the memory and he could tell that she was doing her best to keep the hurt from his perceived lies to her out her voice. Projecting her abject anger at the repulsive nature of the situation, and his role in it.
“I was honest with you about not knowing who she was, Swan, truly.” Using the newly acquired information the memory provided him, Killian began to craft a plausible, half-truth explanation. “The deal was brokered by a third party. I wasn’t given the woman’s name. The deal was that she would receive compensation in exchange for the child. Once the child was in my possession I’d be charged with finding it a suitable home.”
“You're not getting that kid.” Killian had no intention of leaving the hospital with the child, but it seemed Swan already had him pegged as a villain.
“Actually, we have an agreement.” Killian decided that in order to maintain his cover as his cursed self he’d have to play his part. If it’s a villain she wants, then so be it, “And there’s a contract that must be honored.”
“Tear it up.”
“That's not what I do, love.” Unable to resist some theatrics, Killian flourished a bit as he added, “But, I’m not a heartless man. How about I let Ms. Boyd keep her baby, and you’ll simply owe me a favor.”  
“I’m not going to work for you, Jones. I’ve already accepted the Deputy position.” 
“Have you now?” Flippant in his response, he tried to mask how much the news hurt him.
“Yeah.”
“Well then it seems the better man has won,” he declared, a softer tone lacing his words as he became tired of the facade. “For what it’s worth, Swan, I think you’ll make a brilliant Deputy.” Hope stirred in the back of his chest as she seemed to lose a bit of her bite at his words. A slight blush tinted her cheeks and she gave him a mixed look of disbelief and gratitude at the compliment. It lasted only a moment before she fixed him again with a hard stare.
“I’ll just owe you a favor?” she clarified with lifted brow
“Aye, love.”
“Deal.” Killian’s skin crawled, but he was heartened at their accord and the chance it might give him to redeem himself in her eyes.
The nurse picked that moment to walk outside to notify them of the successful birth of Ashley’s baby. “I guess I’ll take my leave. Please do pass along my congratulations to Ms. Boyd.” Killian turned, and headed back to his bike before Emma even had the chance to respond.
“You know, Emma, you're different.” The comment sounded odd coming  from Henry, as they made their way to drop him off at Regina’s before she could get home and notice he had been gone.
“What's that?”
“You're the only one who can do it.”
She tried to not get frustrated with Henry and his love of being cryptic. An unintended touch of agitation seeped into her voice as she retorted, “Break the curse? Yes, I know. You keep telling me that.”
“No,” Henry paused to roll his eyes at her, before continuing, “leave. You're the only one who can leave Storybrooke.”
Unsure of where he was headed with this conversation Emma replied, “You left, and found me in Boston.”
“But I came back. I'm 10. I had no choice, but if anyone else tried to go, bad things would happen.” Henry sounded as though that was the most obvious thing in the world, the verbal equivalent of rolling his eyes. Cheeky little kid.
“Nobody? Except Me?”
“You're The Saviour. You can do whatever you want. You can leave.”
Why is he telling me this? Is he testing me? Trying to tell me to leave? She stopped that train of thought there, she was getting way ahead of herself. Henry wouldn’t have tracked her down in Boston if he didn’t want her to be there. Unless he’s tired of me already, realized how much of a mistake it was to find me, how broken I am. No! No, that can’t be, just this morning he came to me, wanting to spend the day together. She knew she was working herself up into a frenzy and needed a new topic to fixate on, so she decided to ask Henry about the other thing she’d been stewing over all day.
“By the way, I meant to ask you earlier. What were you doing with Killian Jones at the hospital?” Genuinely curious about his response, Emma looked at Henry as much as she could manage as she drove.
“I was with him when he got the call about Ashley.”
Emma tried to not sound as confused as she felt, and quickly questioned, “Why? Why do you spend so much time with the guy and invite him along everywhere?”
“He’s my friend.”
“Your friend?”
“Yeah, my best friend… my only friend, actually.”
Emma’s heart broke at his response, and the melancholic tone he couldn’t disguise in his voice. After Henry’s statement about his friendship with Killian, they both turned within themselves. Emma was still trying to figure Killian out, she knew now that he didn’t exactly lie to her. But she couldn’t reconcile the man who would buy and sell a child with the man who had befriended her son and shown such care and consideration in other matters. She may not be able to get a handle on her thoughts and feelings for Jones, but she was willing to try and accept him for Henry’s sake.
"Pumpkin,” Emma offered, wanting to break the introspective tension in the car. “My code name,” she clarified at Henry’s confused look. “I was thinking, in honor of Cinderella, Pumpkin.” Henry shook his head. “You got a better one in mind?”
“Yep.”
Yeah, this kid loves to be cryptic, she thought sardonically. “Well?”
“I'm not sure you're ready yet.” After the words were spoken, Henry got out of the car and headed for the gate, but before he could run up the walk Emma called out to him.
“Henry! About what you said… about me being able to leave.”
“Yeah?”
“See you tomorrow.” Henry’s face split into the biggest grin she’d seen on him yet at her promise of tomorrow.
She pulled the bug a few blocks away, wanting to make sure that Regina wouldn’t be able to see her once she got home. Emma turned off the bug and called Graham to accept the job offer, figuring she ought to, seeing as how she’d already told Killian that she had.
“Hello? Graham, it's Emma. That deputy job still open?”
“Absolutely.” Graham’s response came through the phone not even a second after she finished her question. Has he been dreading me working with Jones that much?
“Then I'm in.” Feeling the need to ask, but not overly concerned with the answer, since this was her life to do as she pleases, Emma continued, “Regina gonna be okay with this?”
“I don't care. It's my department. I'll see you Monday morning.”
Oh yeah, this is gonna be interesting. “I'll see ya.”
Killian stopped at Granny’s before heading back to the Jolly Roger and placed an order to-go before making use of the facilities. As he turned the corner towards the restroom he practically ran into Regina as she exited the back stairs. Obviously startled by his presence it took her a moment to regain her cool facade before issuing him an overly civil, “Mr. Jones,” before she swept past him and out the back door.
Strange. Henry said she’d be gone all day, what on earth was she doing up there?
The answer to that question came as he exited the restroom moments later only to run into Sheriff Humbert. Sheriff Humbert and traces of the Mayor’s shade of lipstick along his neck and jaw.
“Not really your shade, mate,” Killian smirked as he pointedly glanced at the smudge of lipstick on the man’s neck.
Eyes wide, Graham rubbed at the traitorous mark as Killian quipped, “I hear congratulations are in order.”  
“For what?” Graham eyed him warily.
“Your new deputy.”  
“How could you possibly know that already?” Graham questioned scathingly. “She just called me.”
Graham’s confirmation that Emma had not been altogether truthful at the hospital earlier, but had decided to accept the position anyway, added to Killian’s growing agitation with the entire blasted day. A day that had cost him precious ground with Emma, and left him on a precarious perch with Henry. It hadn’t been a total loss, however, not in light of the new morsel of information he’d just stumbled across. The Mayor and the Sheriff. What would Emma and Henry have to say about their illicit rendezvous?
“That’s not all I know, mate.” Killian winked as he smirked at the red faced Sheriff, before brushing past him to collect his take out.
No, indeed. The day hadn’t been a complete loss. Emma owed him a favor, Regina and Graham were going to have to pay up if they wanted Killian’s discretion, and, as Killian was about to learn, the stack of documents awaiting him on the Jolly Roger provided him even greater leverage and property within Storybrooke. Property that included the pawn shop, and all that it held.
Chapter Eight
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Tagging some lovelies that have asked to be tagged, as well as some we believe might enjoy. Please let us know if you do, or don’t wish to be tagged.
@abeylin1982 @aprilqueen84 @artistic-writer @ashar663 @bschratter @captain-k-jones @captain-swan-coffee @downeystarkjr @flipperbrain @florenzu @freakassbuthunter @gingerchangeling @golfgirld @greenleaf777 @i-island-breeze @ilovemesomekillianjones @jennjenn615 @kmomof4 @laschatzi @leiaswanjoneskid @like-waves-on-the-beach @mcbrideannemgt @rookiehookie @seriouslyhooked @smutqueen27 @teamhook @ultraluckycatnd @xhookswenchx @yayimallamaagain
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anastpaul · 7 years
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4 September – Feast of Our Lady of Consolation (Above is the original Icon of Our Lady of Consolation in Turin, Italy)
Starting in the 2nd century, Catholics venerated Mary as Our Lady of Consolation, one of her earliest titles of honour.   The title of Our Lady of Consolation, or Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted, comes from the Latin Consolatrix Afflictorum.   It is found in the Litany of Loreto.
The origin of this invocation is derived from the Augustinian monks who propagated this particular devotion.   In 1436 the Confraternity of the Holy Cincture of Our Lady of Consolation was founded in Bologna, Italy.   It was based on an Augustinian tradition which hold that Saint Monica in the fourth century, was distraught with anxiety for her wayward son, Augustine and that Mary gave her a sash which the Virgin wore, with the assurance that whoever wore this belt would receive her special consolation and protection.   Along with Augustine and Monica, Our Lady of Consolation is one of the three patrons of the Augustinians.   The “Augustinian Rosary” is sometimes called the “Corona (or Crown) of Our Mother of Consolation”. In the 1700s members of the Augustinian Order introduced devotion to Our Lady of Consolation to the island of Malta.   On 1 December 1722 the Prior General of the Augustinian Order Fr Thomas Cervioni issued the Decree for the erection of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Consolation in the church of St Mark, run by the Augustinians at Rabat, although the devotion had been practiced for some time before. By this time the custom of asking for the final blessing before death in the name of Our Lady of Consolation was very popular and the monks were given a dispensation to leave the monastery at any time to confer it.   Processions in Our Lady’s honour were suspended during the French occupation of 1798 to discourage the gathering of crowds.
An ancient story relates St Eusebius of Vercelli brought back an icon of Our Lady of Consolation when he was returning from exile in Egypt in 363.   This icon was presented to the city of Turin.   Later St Maximus, Bishop of Turin, established a small shrine to house the icon in a church dedicated to St Andrew.   The icon became the object of great veneration and the church became the Santuario della Consolata.   Giuseppe Allamano, rector of the Santuario della Consolata founded the Consolata Missionaries in 1902;  they brought to devotion to Africa.   At the age of nineteen Joseph Marello of Turin contracted typhus.   He attributed his recovery to Our Lady of Consolation and went on to found the Oblates of St. Joseph.
There are several versions of the image of Our Lady of Consolation. The original one is in Turin at the Santuario della Consolata.   A star on her shoulder is characteristic of almost all the images.   The traditional depiction of Our Mother of Consolation in Augustinian houses shows Mary holding the child Jesus on her lap.   Jesus and Mary both hold the Augustinian cincture in their hands.
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Above -  Altar with icon of the Virgin of the Consolation at the Santuario della Consolata or Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Consolation in Turin
In France the dioceses of Vannes, Valence, Montpelier, Laval, Nantes, Périgueux, Tours and many others, possessed churches or chapels dedicated to Mary under this title.   In 1652, Pope Innocent X encouraged devotion to Our Lady of Consolation by establishing a confraternity.
The cult of Our Lady of Luxembourg, Comforter of the Afflicted, was initiated by the Jesuits in 1624 and led to the election of Our Lady as the protectress of the City in 1666 and of the Duchy in 1678.   After the destruction of the old pilgrimage chapel at the time of the French Revolution, the statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg was moved to St Peter church, today’s Cathedral in Luxembourg City.   Statues depicting her can be found in niches in buildings throughout the city of Luxembourg.   From there the devotion was adopted by the English Benedictine nuns of Cambrai.
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Our Lady of Consolation in Luxembourg
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Our Lady of Consolation in Grinstead, England
Immigrants from Luxembourg transposed the cult of Our Lady of Consolation to the United States.
In 1848, Luxembourg immigrants began to settle in the area around Dacada, Wisconsin. The oldest statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg found in the United States, was brought to Dacada by a Luxembourg immigrant, Anna Margaret Deppiesse, in 1849.   Mrs. Deppiesse donated it to St. Nicholas Church, where it can be found in an alcove shrine below the choir loft.   When the church was remodeled in 1941, a mural depicting Our Lady of Luxembourg (Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted) was added to the apse in the sanctuary.   The mural, which honours the parish’s Luxembourgian roots, was painted by liturgical artist, Bernard Grenkhe, using the “al secho” method (i.e., painting on wet plaster so as to make the image permanent.
During the Civil War, three parishioners of St. Augustine’s Parish in Leopold, Indiana fought for the North and were imprisoned at the notorious Andersonville Prison.   Henry Devillez, Isidore Naviaux and Lambert Rogier, formerly of Belgium, vowed that if they survived, one of them would make a pilgrimage to Luxembourg and obtain a copy of the statue of Our Lady of Consolation that stood in their ancestral church.   Rogier went to Luxembourg in 1867 and upon his return enshrined it in St. Augustine’s, where it now stands to the left of the main altar.   In September 2013, Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis dedicated a larger outdoor garden shrine.
Another centre of veneration and pilgrimage, which also adopted Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted is Kevaeler in Germany, not far from the Dutch border.   In 1642 a copperplate engraving, representing Our Lady of Luxembourg, was installed in a sanctuary erected the same year.   It is one of the best visited Catholic pilgrimage locations in north-western Europe.  St Pope John Paul II visited in 1987.
The feast of Our Lady of Consolation is one of the solemnities not inscribed in the General Roman Calendar but which are observed in particular places, regions, churches or religious institutes.   Augustinians observe 4 September, the Benedictines on 5 July. The popular girls name “Consuela” is derived from this title.
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(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)
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justanoutlawfic · 4 years
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Life Unexpected: Chapt. 10
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Summary:  A new side of Mary Margaret emerges when she realizes what could have been. Rated M.
Also on AO3
Mary Margaret and Ruby sat in the latter’s living room two days after the run in with August. Ruby had managed to pull herself together that day and left with Archie, telling Granny she had a headache. Another waitress served them and Mary Margaret had to pretend like she had no clue what was going on. She was hiding a secret from her daughter and she hated it. At the same time, it also wasn’t her secret to share. When or if Emma ever found out, she had to pray that she would know that.
 “Have you and Archie thought anymore about what you want to do?” Mary Margaret asked.
Ruby shook her head. “I mean, we don’t know for sure that it’s the son we placed for adoption. I can feel it and Archie does too. But we have to do some more work to guarantee that he is.”
“For what it’s worth, everything does seem to add up. He told David that his biological parents left him at his biological father’s mentor. He was raised there for six years and then his adoptive father passed away.”
“Archie did a search on Marco and the timing adds up there. We had tried to reach out to him a few times over the years and he never responded. I always said he owed us nothing, figured he didn’t want anything to do with the people that just abandoned a baby.”
“You didn’t abandon him, Ruby.” Mary Margaret took hold of her hand. “You gave him up for adoption, because you were too young to care for him otherwise.”
“We just walked away and never looked back.”
“That’s not true. As a biological mother myself, I know it’s not. He was with you every day.”
 Mary Margaret couldn’t get out of bed in the morning without thinking about Emma. She had thought she was with the Swans all that time, but she still wondered how she was. When she would’ve started school, she pictured what she’d wear or what kind of backpack she’d have. If she was going on any fun trips during the summer. Mary Margaret had always hoped Emma was better at making friends than she had been as a child. Her heart ached on every birthday or holiday. She wanted to be there with her. It’s how it was supposed to be, but ultimately couldn’t.
 She was never with Emma in those 14 years, but it didn’t mean that Emma wasn’t in her heart.
 “You thought he was safe,” Mary Margaret wasn’t sure if she was telling Ruby that or herself. “You thought he was with someone you trusted. There was no reason for you to go back for him. It doesn’t change that you loved him.”
Ruby squeezed Mary Margaret’s hand. “I just don’t know what to say to him right now. How to even get the ball rolling. Emma came to you guys. August doesn’t even know who we are. I don’t even know if he wants to find us.”
“Just talk to him as a friend. It’s better than nothing.”
Ruby let out a sigh, but nodded. “That’s what Archie said.”
“At least you have him,” Mary Margaret mused.
 She looked around the apartment that her friends shared. There were pictures of various vacations, Archie’s graduations and when they had gotten their beloved dalmatian. They had stuck beside each other through all of it. Even when Ruby went back to Storybrooke, they were still together. Archie had moved from Boston to be with her. They were each other’s support system and Mary Margaret knew that as long as the two of them had each other to hold onto, they were going to be okay.
 Mary Margaret tried to picture having that after her own experience. David holding her hand when she was forced to leave the NICU for the last time. Talking her through that first night back in her dorm when all she wanted to do was change her mind. Sure, if she had him in the picture, maybe she wouldn’t have even had to give her up. At the same time, they were young. Maybe it really would have been the best thing for Emma if they had found a family for her together. But he had just abandoned her. He wasn’t there for all the nights she cried. He didn’t have to live through all the questions about what happened to the baby when she went back to classes just days after giving birth.
 Like Mary Margaret and David, Ruby and Archie hadn’t told many people about August. The difference was, they had each other to get through the hard times. David was able to escape the secret on his own. He could pretend like nothing ever happened. Walk to class, joke with his friends. Mary Margaret was the girl. She couldn’t hide the still swollen bump or limp she walked with.
 Hearing Ruby’s story, seeing what she had, it made her bubble over with feelings she thought she had long buried. Mary Margaret had been alone for years following Emma’s birth and she was tired of it. She wanted David in her bed. She wanted to make him feel everything she had. Sure, she couldn’t give him the bump or the stretchmarks, but maybe she could give him a taste of the pain.
David was surprised to get Mary Margaret’s text.
 I need to see you. Come to the loft.
 He knew that Emma was at Lily’s (again), but perhaps she had come home early or there was something more they needed to discuss. David got into his truck and drove on over, heading up to the door he was becoming familiar with.
 Mary Margaret opened it, looking good. Okay, so she always looked good, but there was something different about her. She had put on more makeup than usual and rather than her usual cardigan, she wore a tight dress that hugged every ounce of her body. She didn’t say a word, instead just gestured for him to come in.
 “Is everything okay with Emma?” He asked as he walked past her.
“Everything’s fine.” She shut the door. “I just wanted to see you.”
“About…?”
“You kissed me the day she showed up.”
 David’s cheeks flushed at the memory. They had agreed to never talk about it again. It was a stupid mistake, they were done. Long over. All the two of them had been was just a stupid one-night stand. At least that’s what Mary Margaret kept clinging to.
 “I thought we weren’t going to talk about that.”
“I changed my mind.” She put her hands on her hips. “You hurt me, David. A lot.”
“Mary Margaret…”
“I went to go talk to Ruby today and I realized that she had everything I used to fantasize about.” She took a step forward. “A loving fiancé. Someone that stood by her side after they went through probably the hardest decision of their lives.”
David nodded. “She told you about August?”
“Yeah, she did.” Mary Margaret bit her lip. “Why did she get all that and I got a broken heart?”
 David could see the pain in her eyes. He thought of when he got the papers in the mail, with the tabs telling him where to sign away his rights to his daughter. A part of him had wanted to call Mary Margaret and talk about all of it. Yet, he hadn’t. They had made a deal, or rather, he had made a deal. They would go to college, give up the baby and move on with their lives. Looking back, he wanted to smack the younger version of himself for treating the mother of his child that way. She deserved better. She deserved so much more.
“I was a fucking idiot,” he whispered.
“Yeah, you were.”
 David didn’t know what to do when Mary Margaret kissed him. He didn’t pull away, but he didn’t return it at first. It took a minute for his eyes to close and to allow himself to get into the moment. They had just been fighting a minute ago, hadn’t they?
 Mary Margaret pulled away, just barely. “I fucking hate you,” she whispered.
“I know.”
 Not as much as I hate myself.
 David kissed her again. He needed to feel her once more. God, it was like the night they had sex. Once they started kissing, he couldn’t get enough of her. He could still remember it all going by so quickly, her dress balled up in the corner and his pants barely having time to get off. He savored every single kiss that night. It wasn’t like anything he had experienced with Kathryn. It was better.
 He expected her to pull away or yell at him for instigating the kiss, but she started to lead him towards the bed. Her red lipstick smudged against his lips and he could feel it smearing on his teeth.
 “What are we doing?” He grunted as he fumbled for her dress zipper.
“Don’t act like a fucking virgin.”
 A loud laugh escaped both of their lips. David located the zipper and the black number fell to the floor to the flourish. She was stark naked beneath. Time and a baby had changed the body he had once seen 15 and a half years ago. There was some pudge and a scar along her pubic hairline. He ran his finger along it, shivering a bit.
 “C-Section.”
“I didn’t…”
“How would you? You weren’t there.”
 David flinched. Yeah, he should’ve seen that coming.
 “You still look sexy,” he told her.
 And it’s the damn truth. He’s wanted this for so damn long and now…
 Now, she’s moved onto his own sweater, working it up over his head. David worked with her to help. Mary Margaret is rough. Her nails dug into his skin as she pushed him down onto the bed, causing some of the pillows to fall onto the floor. David stared up at her green eyes. They weren’t full of lust or wanting. She wasn’t happy in that moment. No, this was Mary Margaret on a mission.
 This was hate sex.
 She wanted to hurt him.
 David let out a bitter laugh and kissed her neck, hard. If she was going to do this, he’d play hard ball. He sucked on her pale skin, focusing on the center.
 “Stop it,” she seethed. “David Robert Nolan, you are not marking me!”
“But you can leave scratches on me?” He panted, pulling away.
“Those will fade faster than a fucking hickey.”
 She moved down and ripped off his belt, throwing it to the floor. Next came his pants and boxers. They were both naked and exposed to one another. Both were panting, their eyes wild.
 “You really want to do this?” He asked.
“I called you here, didn’t I?”
“You asked for it then.”
 He kissed her again, being as passionate as he possibly could. She grunted and pinned his arms down as she slid down his body. She grinded up against his cock and he let out a moan. Her clearly freshly shaven pussy worked as friction and while it burned, it felt so good.
 “Protection,” he muttered.
“Oh, so now you’re worried about that?”
“Mary Margaret!”
“I’ve got an implant.”
 That was all he needed to know. She reached over to the side table, nearly fumbling a few times to grab hold of the drawer. After finally steadying herself, she pulled out a bottle and squirted something onto her hands. She rubbed a generous amount onto herself and the image alone made him grow hard. She moved onto him, slapping it on. It felt cool at first, before slowly starting to give off yet another burning sensation.
 Mary Margaret moved so the two became one. The lubricant made him tingle and he grew harder, the quicker she moved. He screamed and she smacked her hand over his mouth.
 “If we get a noise complaint, you’re dead,” she whispered.
 David smirked, debating moaning louder just to make her madder. Soon, she was moaning herself. She grabbed hold of his hair and his arms were around her torso. His cock slid in and out of her, the lube mixing together to become one. As she was clearly reaching her climax, she gripped harder, which only made him even further on the verge of coming.
 “You’re such an asshole!” She screamed.
“And yet here…we…”
 He came. She orgasmed.
 “Are.”
 Mary Margaret slid beside him, her chest heaving up and down. He looked at her with wonder and amazement. How had it been that good after 15 and a half years?
 “Glad to get all of that out of your system?”
Mary Margaret breathed through her nose. “Honey, we ain’t even getting started.”
 David looked up at the ceiling, debating if he could do it again. He knew he had feelings for Mary Margaret, the kind that went above hate fucking. He also knew that she was angry and this was a way for them to reconnect. Maybe this was cheaper than therapy.
 (Maybe they were also both being fucking stupid.)
 “I have time in between clients tomorrow,” he said. “Sometime after eleven.”
“That fits in just fine with my schedule.”
 She held up a hand and he clasped his within it.
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tsgmobilebayalabama · 5 years
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Real Estate Round Up
Spring is prime house-hunting time, and if the current real estate offerings in the Mobile Bay area are any indication, the season will not disappoint. From an elegant Spring Hill estate to an spacious family compound on Magnolia Springs here are a few of our favorite listings.
11866 Magnolia Street, Magnolia Springs
 10 Bedrooms | 10 Bathrooms | 10,300 Sq ft | 2 ac | $1,999,000
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Features we love: The Governors Club located in Magnolia Springs on Magnolia River is the ultimate southern estate. Situated on a gorgeous 2 plus acre parcel on the meandering Magnolia River boasts the stately Main House, guest house, pool house, guest apartments and boat house. All homes are updated and renovated to perfection. This is the ultimate family compound and can accommodate multiple families and guests. This is an incredible piece of history that awaits a new chapter. 
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Contact Suzy McLean with Courtney & Morris Real Estate
56 Hillwood Road, Mobile 
5 Bedrooms | 5 Full bathrooms | 5901 Sq Ft |$1,149,750
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Features we love: Those who enjoy entertaining will love this beautiful colonial home, with an excellent floor plan with lots of space. Large formal dining room opens up to the kitchen and a large Florida room with big bright and sunny windows wrapping the room and overlooking the backyard. 3 spacious bedrooms are upstairs with tons of storage and access to two outdoor terraces overlooking the property. A beautiful granite patio covered by 4 Bahama umbrellas faces a 35x45 mosaic hand tiled swimming pool, mature landscaping including the tallest Bald Cypress in the city limits. 
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Contact: Melissa Morrissette with LLB&B Real Estate. 
16490 E Keeney Drive, Fairhope ( Fish River)
4 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 3,160 Sq Ft | $849,000
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Features we love: This makes for the perfect family home or second home on the most beautiful part of Fish River. Located on a corner lot with a view from every deck and room. The boat house on the River has outdoor kitchen,TV, two boat lifts and massive areas to entertain and enjoy waterfront living.
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Contact Mary Cane with Courtney & Morris Real Estate
3700 Tuthill Place, Mobile 
5 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 1 Half Bathroom | 3806 Sq Ft |$795,000
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Features we love: This gorgeous Spring Hill home is located conveniently between Old Shell and Springhill Ave. The house has a great open and flowing floor plan accentuated with beautiful pine floors, a newly renovated kitchen, formal dining room with wet bar and upper covered patio that opens up to the kitchen and additional living space, perfect to entertain friends and family or enjoy the peace and quiet.
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Contact  LLB&B Real Estate. 
3930 Yester Place St, Mobile
4 Bedrooms | 7 Bathrooms | 6,414 Sq Ft | 1,199,00
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Features we love: This elegant Estate Home was designed with large rooms with a plethora of natural light. Perfect home for family and entertaining with climate controlled wine storage and a wet bar. All rooms flow and interact with the pool and patio area. Within walking distance to 3 schools, shops, library, and public parks. 
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Contact Lilian Courtney with Courtney & Morris Real Estate
1 Country Club Road, Mobile
3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms |1 Half Bathroom | 4022 Sq Ft | $1,077,000
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Features we love: One of the finest examples of Spanish Revival architecture in the City of Mobile. The home has many unique features including, beautiful hardwood floors throughout, a baluster rail by America's most famous blacksmith, Samuel Yellin, beautiful wood, vaulted ceiling in the den with gorgeous iron chandeliers. The loggia has an outdoor fireplace and there is an outdoor patio.
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Contact Cay Rogers with LLB&B Real Estate. 
2379 Main Street, Fairhope
3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2,824 Sq Ft | $1,750,000
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Features we love: This incredible one-of-a-kind historic cottage on Mobile Bay is a perfect place to enjoy amazing sunsets, live oaks and azaleas galore. The beautiful historic cottage has 12 foot ceilings, crown molding and 4 working fireplaces, including fireplaces in two of the bedrooms. Enormous deck overlooking the property and the bay. 
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Contact Barry Parker with Courtney & Morris Real Estate
3912 Yester Place, Mobile
4 bedrooms | 3 Full Bathrooms | 2 Half Bathrooms | 3836 Sq Ft | $775,000
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Features we love: This elegant French style home offers a rare opportunity to live in the desirable Yester Place Subdivision. A bell roof and quaint courtyard greet you as you as you walk inside to find a grand family room with gorgeous hardwood floors, 10 ft. ceilings, French doors that lead out to a large, tranquil screen porch, a formal living room with a fireplace, a magnificent dining room featuring a vaulted ceiling, an exquisite chandelier, and a cathedral style window. Bay windows let natural light pour into the large kitchen and breakfast area.
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Contact Laura Adams with LLB&B Real Estate.
5502 Riverwood Landing 
5 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3,679 Sq Ft | $549,000
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Features we love: This fabulous custom built home in the coveted and friendly community of Riverwood Estates. The kitchen boasts marble countertops, and is open to a family room with a gas fireplace. The large wet bar is great for entertaining. We love the handsome "man cave" that could also be used as a 5th bedroom. The neighborhood amenities include pool, tennis courts and deeded access to boat launch and pier on Dog River. This home is built energy efficient and is gold fortified, per seller.
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Contact Adelaide McAleer & Lauren Jackson with Courtney & Morris Real Estate. 
18096 Woodland Drive, Point Clear
4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 5,500 Sq Ft | $1,359,900
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Features we love: This amazing estate home resides on the 1st hole of Azalea Golf Course in the beautiful Lakewood subdivision. Home has large open rooms with great views out all of the windows and lots of natural light. A perfectly pleasant sunroom that runs along the back of the house with Pella doors overlooking a large pool and patio area, perfect for entertaining. Additionally, there is a separate office area attached to the garage. This is truly a special home with all its charm!
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Contact Margaret Sue Browning with LLB&B Real Estate
15651 Scenic Highway 98, Fairhope
4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms |  3,212 Sq Ft | $1,750,000
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Features we love: This classic bay cottage is on an expansive 125 foot lot on gorgeous Mobile Bay. A perfect home or second home for any family to create memories. Guest House adds an additional bedroom and bath.
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Contact Mary Cane with Courtney & Morris Real Estate
3 DRURY LANE, MOBILE
4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 4,642 Sq Ft | $1,214,000
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 Features we love: This wonderful home in a great location with beautiful views of the Country Club of Mobile’s North Nine Golf Course. This property has gorgeous Australian Cypress hardwood floors upstairs and down, high ceilings, lovely moldings, sweeping curved staircase, new energy efficient windows. The delightful outdoor entertaining areas have screened and glass porches, a whirlpool and outdoor fireplace. 
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Contact Melissa Morrissette with LLB&B Real Estate
149 Augusta Court, Fairhope
6 Bedrooms | 7 Bathrooms | 7,544 Sq Ft | $1,250,000
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Features we love: This Mediterranean stunner is an entertainer's dream with fabulous views from this private estate lot in prestigious Rock Creek.  A private guest suite lies on the opposite end of the main floor. Outside, the wrap around back porch overlooks holes 11, 12, & 13 of the golf course, a new heated pool/hot tub, stone fireplace, outdoor kitchen and outdoor half bath. 
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Contact Laurie Weber with Courtney & Morris Real Estate
11555 Jeff Hamilton Road, Mobile
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3 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 4,054 Sq Ft | $1,395,000
Features we love: West Fork Farm in on 57.5 of beautiful, rolling acres complete with a lake stocked with bream and bass. Soaring ceilings with exposed wood trusses and beams as well as gleaming pine floors and a double sided brick fireplace. The grounds reveal a full barn with a loft, 5 horse stalls and lean to storage, a cow pen, a pole barn and a green house. Over the lake is an octagon guest house with a living area and kitchen and a wrap aground pier with an electric boat lift. Gorgeous oaks and pastoral land as well as the fruit from the scuppernong and muscadine vines and the blueberry, sand pear and plum trees, or watch a glorious sunset from the deep front porch or pier.
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Contact Libba Latham with LLB&B Real Estate
TELL THEM SCOUT SENT YOU!
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