It doesn't get better than this.
Actually it could get better. But the citizens of Storybrooke chose to live with their lives constantly on alert. . Peace and quiet isn't typical in this town and it's not something easily taken for granted. But for now, they were afforded one evening of bliss.
Killian swirls his amber filled glass and savors another taste of his favorite rum as he sat idly in his chair. It's too bad he doesn't favor the sounds of what this realm calls dance music the same way he savors the taste his favorite spirit. But the vision of his true love and her son moving to the so called rhythm amuses him and tugs at his heart.
The sunset turned the sky into a kaleidoscope of purple, orange and pink hues that complimented the similarly colored bouquet centerpieces against white décor of chairs and linen covered tables. Belle had a knack of turning ordinary locations into elegant reception areas that has recently caught the attention of outsiders. Despite the luck of this town in attracting villains, Regina agreed to take advantage picturesque Storybrooke as an ideal wedding venue for happy endings to financially support the town.
In preparation for twilight to arrive, the dwarves lit the torches that surrounded the reception area while Regina casted her protection spell before resuming her place by her new husband's side at the bar stationed across the dance floor. After Killian raised his drink towards in toast to her groom, Robin, Henry came within his line of sight and sat right beside him.
"Are you sure you don't want to dance?" Henry asked, trying to catch his breath from dancing with his mother, grandmother and Ruby. He was obviously hinting for a rescue behind the boy's rosy cheeks and shortness of breath.
"Aye. From the looks of it, you seem to be entertaining the ladies fairly well. Besides, I'm not sure how anyone would dance to this called music." Hook winked and showed off the wicked grin that darkened his crystal blue eyes. Killian then stood up to take off his gray suit jacket that his lovely Swan had bought him for the wedding. This wasn't his typical leather clad attire that is now hanging in the back of his side of their shared wardrobe. He agreed to wear the three piece suit so long as he doesn't have to wear one of those bloody neck ties. Who would have thought to have a noose tied around his neck be considered as vogue formal attire. It looked more like an invitation for torture. He loved teasing her about the new garb she always happens to bring home for him. But, he will never admit to her that he actually fancies cotton t-shirts, his jeans, and his more contemporary leather jacket lately.
Something simple as changing his attire so they can travel outside of Storybrooke was Emma's one of many trivial ways of solidifying their relationship and future with him. He eventually acquiesced to some of her dominating antics, knowing that a part of her needed to control the way her now exposed heart is handled. Time has led them to believe that even with their passion for each other, they have also learned to love with a gentle touch. The pirate and the princess know they are doomed to be in love with each other after true love's kiss at Granny's diner sealed their fate and connected them deeper than each other expected. As much as Killian voiced his desire to be her husband properly, she wanted him to enjoy the modern days of courtship of less formalities and traditions, of which he is now thankful for. As a compromise to her parents, they will marry once they return to the Enchanted Forest, where Killian and Emma will honor such royal traditions and accept his position as David's right hand person for the improvement of the Royal Guard. Killian and David have watched so crime solving TV shows, they are convinced they will need the same type of sophisticated operation to fight dark magic.
"Please give this to your mother when you return to her. It's getting a bit chilly and she will want this." As he handed it off to Henry, he immediately recognized that expression on Henry's face. It was the same apprehensive look when he asked Bae to find the dead rat that was causing the stench on the Jolly Roger. "Go on," Killian chuckled at the memory and the close resemblance, "I'll tell you what. If you get them to play a more tasteful melody, I will relieve you of your duty as your mother's escort."
"Ok da-, Killian." Henry tensed for a negative reaction from Killian after his little slip. Ever since his mom and Killian moved forward with their relationship, it felt unusually natural to call him dad. Most of the time it remained in his head or get stuck on his tongue but slips have increased over time. Killian could never replace Neal, but he was able to fulfill the fatherly role very easily. What was unexpected was how Killian was just as perceptive about Henry as he is with Emma. Killian was an expert at getting past his and his mom's stubbornness. Killian finds himself unwillingly in the middle of their mother son disagreements where he is forced to translate for the other in order to regain some peace and quiet in their home.
Killian had no intentions of correcting the lad nor dismissing his feelings. "No worries, mate. Just say how you feel." His affectionate smile served as additional insurance that no feelings were tampered with." Go on, before your mother gets cold. I will join her in a bit." Killian actually looks forward to the day that Henry will no longer retreat from his feelings. But like his mother, only time will bring him to that point. Until then, he will continue to love and protect Henry as his own son.
-'-(
"So is it true that you are going back to New York?" Rumple replaced the seat that Hook earlier occupied.
The shock of a new voice took him away from watching Henry securing his jacket over Emma's bare shoulders. So much for enjoying his personal time to himself. "Aye. Just for the weekend. Regina warned that now that the curse has been lifted, the life Emma and Henry's life may no longer be there. So we will have to see if any part of that life was left behind. If so, we will move everything along with Bae's belongings back to Storybrooke."
Rumple sat in silence, obviously brewing something in his head. "And let's say what Regina's says is true, what will be your plans for Emma and my grandson? You no longer have the Jolly Roger. Belle had mentioned that Emma is not ready to go back to the Enchanted Forest yet. Regina and I are having difficulties maintaining a quiet portal between the two locations. We all may end up without a choice and Storybrooke will have to disappear.
Killian's tension pulsated through his jaw bone. Bloody hell. Unfortunately, Rumple was right. Without any modern day talent, he will be unable to provide for Emma and Henry unless they were back in the Enchanted Forest. At least in Storybrooke, he had a decent job being in charge of the pier. "Regina and Emma have found a way to conjure up my existence in this realm." He didn't want to delve further into the topic simply because he is quite perplexed about where this conversation is going, or conjuring.
Rumple understood what the pirate didn't quite comprehend. Regina and Emma would have to find a way to bring Killian Jones to life in this present day realm to include a childhood history, blood work and a social security number. It would be hard for a 300 year old pirate to fill out an application. "Regina would do this kind gesture for you, pirate?"
"I suppose." He said softly, now wishing that he hadn't disclosed even that much. He looked across to see Emma, who caught his glance. She mouthed three precious words in the air that was only meant to be understood by him. He smiled in return and signaled that he was on his way. His eagerness to return to his love on the other side of the dance floor grew. But he was curious about the difficulty with the portals and needed more information. He may have to resort to convince Emma to migrate to the Enchanted Forest in order to have a good future for he and his family.
Before he could continue the conversation, he felt a tingling in his left arm. With no obvious cuts or tenderness around his brace, he tried to ignore it. But the next surge of pain hit him from his chest and radiated again down to his arm. He immediately looked to Rumple for, believe it or not, help, but he was nowhere to be seen. He restrained from being a mockery in front of everyone and bit his tongue to halt the scream that wanted to erupt from his throat. There has to be a logical explanation about this. Instead, he forced himself upright while clenching his arm and slowly ambulated towards the pier.
He finally saw Rumple from a distance, definitely closer to the pier than he is. Damn it. Rumplestiltskin in the end wanted his revenge against Killian, and acted upon it when he least expected it. Of course, how could he have the benefit of true love when he ruined Rumplestiltskin's a long time ago? True love wasn't allowed for Killian, not if Rumple can help it. The thought alone of breaking his promise to Emma to go to the ends of the earth for her, felt worse than this manner of death that has now been bestowed upon him..
The burn feels like acid coursing through his blood vessels and is making its way to disintegrate every cell in his being, starting with his left side. The constraint of his brace no longer felt like the comfort of a crutch, but a weapon used against him; he didn't know if the apparatus broke his skin while the rest of his body was going through what feels like an internal combustion. His patience could not handle the time it took to remove the buckles so he knelt down and pulled the apparatus using his thighs and threw it as far as he could away from his view. Another burning surge came through again, this time to his lower arm, but no less the excruciating pain. He would hate to have Emma see him waste away like this. Their connection is so deeply ingrained, that they automatically sense when one is in trouble. It's only a matter of time where she would discover him lifeless. He just found her. She just accepted him. They were happy. And with that final thought of the love he's leaving behind, a promise that he can no longer fulfill, the darkness took over and he whispered her name on his final breath.