Chapter 2 - First Meetings

"Can I do something for you, love?"

I looked up to see a pair of blue eyes staring at me.

"Actually, yes." I answered, tiredly. "The receptionist from the Castle Hotel, in Dublin, called to know if you had an available room..."

"Oh, sure!" He interrupted. "She seemed a bit nervous, though. Something about needing a room in a closer hotel and no luck in doing so for such a long period of time. What's your name, love?"

"Emma Swan." I answered. He started to fill in some information on the computer. "And I'm not your love." I added with a sigh.

"Well, the offer stands." He said with a smirk. "And there's no need to be rude."

"Look, I'm exhausted. I just arrived from the airport and then had to wait for an hour at a hotel lobby because there was some misunderstanding with my reservation at said hotel. So if you could go on with this a little bit faster, I'd appreciate..."

"All done. No need to have your panties in a twist." He interrupted again, handing me a key. "This is your key. Room number 103. Just go upstairs and turn right. If you need anything, just give a call to the reception, the extension line is 223."

"Finally." I said with a smile. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome." He smiled back. "And have a nice stay."


After I organized my things in the room, I opened the messenger to text David.

Emma: Hey. Just checking in. Arrived at the hotel. Had a problem with the reservation, but everything is fine now.

A few minutes later, the phone buzzed with his response:

David: Really? What happened?

Emma: Apparently my name wasn't on the reservation list for the hotel everyone is staying in. Had to call Gold early in the morning to solve the problem.

David: I bet he wasn't happy about that part.

Emma: Definitely not! He was in a terrible mood. Belle was with him though, which I believe helped keeping him in check.

David: That girl must really love him, to be dating that man.

Emma: I believe she does.

David: So, how did it go? Did they manage to get you a room, after all?

Emma: Kinda. They didn't have any available rooms, so I had to go to a different hotel.

David: Really? But is this new hotel okay?

Emma: So far, it's nice and cozy. The only problem is that it isn't located in Dublin.

David: WHAT?

Emma: The hotel is a neighboring town called Malahide. It's 11 miles from Dublin, a 20-minutes drive, and the bus designated for the orchestra can't pick me up here for the rehearsals. So basically I'm on my own.

David: I hope they are covering your taxi expenses.

Emma: They are. But considering I'll have to wake up 20 minutes earlier than necessary to get to Dublin, it sucks. Also, I'll probably miss out on social interactions during breakfast, lunch, etc., since everyone else is together at the same hotel and I'm not.

David: I'm sure it does suck! Emma, I'll have to go now. Gotta go back to work. Mary Margaret sends her love. She stopped by the station for a quick visit. Keep me updated. :)

Emma: I will. Say 'hi' to Mary Margaret for me. :)

David: Just did.

I looked at the clock to see it was almost noon, and I still had to get lunch and go back to Dublin for our first rehearsal.


The restaurant, like the rest of the hotel, was nice and comfortable, and had a great view from its windows. I ordered pasta and a small salad for lunch.

After I finished eating, I went back to the lobby, looking for a cab to drive me to Dublin, just to find out there was none.

"Anything I can help you with, love?" The Irish blue-eyed receptionist asked.

"Since you're so willing to help, yes." I answered. "I'm wondering if there are any cabs available in this town or I'll just have to walk all the way back to Dublin, love." I mimicked his accent. Two could play the same game.

"As much as I'm quite certain you'd enjoy the view as you walked, there are, in fact, cabs in Malahide." He said, walking towards the phone. "Let me call one for you."

He called what it seemed like a taxi company and gave them the address.

"There's a driver on his way." He said with a smirk.

"Thanks." I answered, walking to wait for the cab near the entrance.

The cab arrived faster than I thought. I gave the driver the directions for the concert room where the rehearsal would take place and closed my eyes, going through the piano concerto we would rehearse today in my mind.


May 9th, 2015

The week passed much faster than I thought it would.

To my surprise, I didn't see the receptionist from the day I arrived anymore.

I was finishing my hair in the dressing room with Belle by my side, who was chatting animatedly about the private tour Gold gave her.

"Rum lived in Dublin for almost thirty years before he moved to the US. That's how he knows the town so well." She said with enthusiasm.

"Well, that makes a lot of sense, considering his accent. I did guess he was from Ireland before, but I didn't know he was specifically from Dublin." I pondered.

"Emma, the town is so beautiful! It's so bad that you're not staying with us at the same hotel... We have so much fun together at meals, yesterday after dinner everyone started singing the theme to today's concerto, each musician singing their part. It was so much fun. I really wished you were there with us." She said with a sad face.

"Tell me about it." I replied, annoyed. "I'm getting seriously bored in my hotel room. Yesterday I found myself making paper cranes with a napkin."

"That sounds absolutely boring, Emma." Gold appeared at the doorway. "Belle, darling, you look lovely."

"Thanks, Rum." Belle answered, blushing slightly.

"Anyways, I'm sorry to interrupt the interesting chat the two of you seem to be having, but you have three minutes to be onstage."

"Okay." I said standing up.


The concerto was great. The crowd gave a standing ovation, and several people came to the stage to take pictures with the musicians.

That was when I noticed a familiar face coming into my direction.

"I would have never guessed, from our little interaction last week, that you could play like that, love." The receptionist from the hotel said, approaching me with a smile, seeming genuinely surprised.

"And I would have never guessed that you would be the type of person who goes to classical music concerts, love." I said, again mimicking the way he spoke.

"Never judge a book by its cover." He answered. "By the way, I don't think we've met properly. Killian Jones." He offered his hand in a courteous manner.

I was about to reply when a little girl, maybe 5 or 6 years old, came running into his direction. She wore a pink dress that covered her knees and had deep blue eyes, matching his. Her long dark hair was split in two pigtails.

"Look, the violinist gave me an autograph!" She said excitedly, showing him a small pink notebook with a signature in it.

"That's amazing, sweetheart." Killian answered in a loving manner, getting down to her height to see the notebook properly.

I looked at the little girl with curiosity. Killian didn't look like he had a daughter. But he also didn't look like someone who enjoyed classical music. I wondered if he was married. He didn't seem to be married; at least he didn't have a ring. Maybe divorced?

Just then the little girl noticed my presence, standing shyly by Killian's side.

"Hey, do you think your beautiful pink notebook can contain another autograph?" Killian asked her with a smile, trying to break the ice.

"Would you sign it for me?" She asked with a toothy grin, handing me her notebook.

"It would be an honor!" I replied with a smile. "What's your name?"

"Olivia. Olivia Jones." She answered confidently. "Do want to use my pen? It's pink too."

"Of course. I like pink too!" I said, taking the pen she offered and writing in her notebook. "Can you read it or do you want me to read it for you?"

"I can read already." She said proudly. "But thank you."

"Really?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Dear Olivia, it was a pleasure meeting you tonight. Love, Emma Swan." Olivia read with confidence. When she finished, Killian kissed her cheek.

"How old are you?" I inquired, curiously. "You can read very well."

"Thank you. I just turned 6." She said with a smile. "My birthday was last Wednesday, on the 7th."

"Well, happy birthday!" I congratulated her.

"Thank you. But it's a little late for congratulations, I suppose." She said with a frown.

"Olivia..." Killian reprimanded.

"It's okay." I smiled at him. He smiled back.

"It's getting late, Olivia." Killian stated. "I'm sure your mom will start calling me if I don't return you home soon. I told her we'd be back by now."

"Oh." Olivia said. "Thank you for the autograph, Miss Swan! Have a good night."

"You are welcome, Olivia." I said smiling at her. "And you can call me Emma."

"Okay." She answered. "Bye, Emma."

With that, Olivia and started swirling and dancing between the seats, heading towards the exit.

"Thank you for that." Killian whispered. "She really enjoyed it."

"You're welcome."

He turned around to leave, but then stopped for a moment, as if he was deciding something.

"I'm heading to Malahide; do you need a ride? I just have to drop Olivia first, but I can leave you at the hotel afterwards." He asked, turning back.

"No, thank you." I lied. I would have to pay for another cab, but suddenly I felt butterflies in my stomach at the prospect of driving with him. "I still have to change and I don't want you to get in trouble with her mother because of me."

"Don't worry about it. We are already late, so go change and we'll wait for you here." He said nonchalantly. "Besides, I'm sure Olivia would love to have your company for a few more minutes."

I thought about it. Finding a cab that late wouldn't be so easy, after all.

"Okay, then." I said. "I'll just run to the dressing room and be right back."

He nodded.

I changed as fast as I could. I really didn't want to cause any trouble. If he was divorced, I didn't want to be the reason for a potential fight between him and his daughter's mother.

As I went back, now in much more comfortable clothes, I noticed him sitting in one of the chairs, Olivia by his side playing with his phone.

"Ready to go?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Are you sure this won't get you in trouble?" I asked apprehensively as he rose from the seat.

"Don't worry. I already called Olivia's mom to let her know we'd be a little late." He said reassuringly, touching my arm. I felt as if a wave of electricity flowed through me the moment his hand laid on my arm. He must've felt my reaction, because he immediatly removed his hand, dropping it to his side.

We got into his car in silence. Olivia was probably tired, and I suddenly started to feel self conscious about being there with them.

I decided to at least try to break the heavy silence.

"Hey Olivia, did you enjoy the concert?" I asked her, looking at the back seat.

"Yes!" She answered animatedly. "You play the piano so beautifully!"

"Thank you." I said.

So far, so good.

"When I grow up, I want to be a pianist, just like you, Emma!" Olivia said excitedly.

I smiled at that.

"Do you play any instruments, Olivia?" I inquired out of curiosity.

"Yes." She said shyly. "I play the piano too. But not so well as you do."

"Olivia, why don't you tell Emma about your graduation in your second piano book?" Killian finally joined the conversation.

"Did you finish your second piano book already?" I asked with enthusiasm.

"Yes, and I wasn't as hard as I thought it would be."

"At this pace, I'm sure you're going to be the best pianist in the world very soon!" I encouraged, turning my neck to look at her. She gave me a huge grin. "For how long have you been taking piano lessons?"

"6 months." She said matter of factly. "Actually, I have my first piano recital next Saturday."

"That's great! Are you excited?"

"Yes," She replied. "Do you want to come?"

I looked at Killian, trying to figure out by his expression whether or not he would be okay with it.

"Pretty please?" She insisted.

"She'd love to have you there, but it's okay if you don't want to go, I'm sure you have something else to do." He mouthed silently, so Olivia wouldn't hear.

I thought about it. If Killian didn't have a problem with me going...

"You know what," I said before I changed my mind. "I'd love to go."

I looked at Killian for reassurance. He was staring at me, his face blank. Did I make a mistake by saying I'd go?

"Thank you, Emma!" Olivia said.

At this point, Killian parked his car in front of a large two-storey house with a porch.

"It'll only take a minute." He said.

"Okay."

He got out of the car and opened the door for Olivia to get out as well.

"Goodbye, Emma." Olivia said, waving with her hand.

"Goodbye, Olivia. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." She replied, still looking at me as Killian walked her to the door. She waved her hand one more time.

He knocked at the door twice. A beautiful woman, with a long brown hair in waves falling though her shoulders, opened the door.

She picked Olivia up and exchanged a few words with Killian. He touched her arm caringly as he said a few more words, then kissed Olivia's cheek and left. If he was divorced, did he still have any feelings for his ex-wife? I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I had absolutely nothing to do with his life, and he could have feelings for whoever he wanted.

He started driving again in silence, as if deep in thoughts. Without Olivia there, I had no idea how to break the silence this time.

He parked in front of the hotel and looked in my direction.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to," He said, breaking the silence. "To the recital, I mean." He added when he saw my confusion.

"Don't worry, I'd love to go. Unless... unless you don't want me there?"

"No, no, it's not that." He quickly corrected. "It's just that if you have other plans..."

"I don't have any plans." I muttered.

"Well, it will make Olivia's day." He said with a smile. He paused for a second, and then added, laughing. "You made quite the impression with my niece."

His niece? Wait, so she wasn't his daughter?

"I thought she was your daughter." I couldn't stop myself from saying out loud.

"My daughter?" He guffawed. "No, no. Olivia is my brother's little girl. He is out of town on a business trip, so his wife, Annie, is on her own with Olivia and their baby girl. I decided to take Olivia to the concert because she loves music, and Annie couldn't take her because of baby Sarah. Also, whenever Liam is out of town, I try to make sure his girls don't need anything."

So the way he touched the woman earlier was just a friendly gesture? For some reason, I felt relieved at that.

I thought about the first moment we met, almost a week before.

Back then he didn't sound like this caring brother in law, or this uncle who would drive his niece for a concert just because she liked music.

"I think I may or may not have misjudged you a little bit." I said, embarrassed.

"That can happen, love. As I said, 'don't judge a book by its cover.'" He said with a smirk.

I laughed.

"Why don't we start over?" I think I misjudged you too, thinking you were just some picky girl who desperately wanted to hang out in Dublin and couldn't get a last minute hotel room nearby."

"Star over?" I laughed. "Okay."

"I'm Killian Jones, nice to meet you" He offered his hand.

"Emma Swan." I said, putting my hand between his and shaking it.

Then he stared into my eyes again, those blue eyes piercing me.

"I should go. It's getting late." I said, motioning for the door.

"Wait," He said, still holding my hand.

"What?"

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Swan." Then drove my hand to his mouth and kissed it slowly, without taking his eyes off me.

The touch of his lips on my hand made me feel that spark of electricity again.

"Emma." I said.

"What?"

"You don't have to call me Miss Swan." I clarified.

He laughed.

"I'll see you around, Emma."

"See you around, Jones."


A/N: Please let me know what you think and leave a review! :)