Emma smiled over at her husband, who was inspecting the couch for what must have been the fifth time that day. His obsession when it came to cleanliness had taken a lot of getting used to at the first, but she had soon found it endearing. It was simply another thing that made him who he was. And she wouldn't have him any other way.
Killian could feel his wife's gaze as he placed a freshly plumped cushion back in its rightful place. After giving the couch one of final look over, at least for now anyway, he swaggered over to his wife.
"Everything ship shape, Captain?" Emma smiled wider as she handed her hardworking man a glass of water.
"Aye, milady, I believe so." Killian smirked as he accepted the water, gulping it down greedily. Emma tried to hide the way her breath caught at the sight of his adam's apple bobbing enthusiastically. However, she was betrayed by her tongue unconsciously swiping across her bottom lip. Killian's eyes lit up at the obvious effect he was having on his wife. His grin turned smug as he placed the empty glass on the kitchen table. "Now I think I'll go engross myself in a novel until our special guest arrives." Despite his words, he made no move to exit the room. In fact he closed the space between them, leaning over to whisper in her ear. "Unless there is something else the lady wishes?" Emma visibly shuddered at his low sultry tone. She would like nothing more than to let her pirate have his way with her; it had been too long since they had used the kitchen table for that purpose. However, she was well aware that they didn't have time to indulge themselves right now. She stepped back to put some distance between them, hoping to diffuse the heated atmosphere. Emma let out a laugh at the pout that appeared on her pirate's face. "Is the lady truly satisfied?" He took a step towards her, not willing to give in that easy. At that moment the doorbell rang throughout the house. "To be continued" Killian winked mischievously before going to answer the door. Emma breathed a sigh of relief, not knowing if she'd have had the strength to deny him again. Taking a moment to steady her nerves she moved into the hallway.
"Killian, it's so good to see you again." Mrs Bradey immediately pulled him into a crushing hug, one which he quickly reciprocated. Having met the woman a few times now, the couple were well used to her friendly nature.
"I can assure you the pleasure is all mine." Killian pulled back and proceeded to raise Mrs Bradey's hand to his lips, which earned him a good-natured eye roll from Emma.
"Always so charming." Mrs Bradey gushed as she made her way towards Emma. The blonde accepted the older woman's embrace with open arms. "And how are you my dear?" Although the woman spoke in her usual loud voice, Emma barely registered the question as she looked towards the doorway. Her heart melted as her husband knelt down in front of a tiny girl cuddling her a stuffed bear to her chest. Katie. Mrs Bradey was at first slightly concerned by the lack of response she had received but, as she followed Emma's line of vision, she instantly understood. It touched her greatly how much this couple cared about the young girl, especially after such a short length of time.
"How is the young lass today then?" Killian spoke softly, trying not to left his nerves reach his voice. This was it. His eyes landed on the small pink suitcase on the porch and his heart rate increased. Katie was here, in their house, for a trial period. To see if they could make this situation work for everyone involved, most of all her. To see if they could truly be a family one day. Katie stared up at him with big eyes before shuffling over to Mrs Bradey, keeping her gaze on Killian. Emma sensed her husband's slight uncertainty, the way his back tensed as the girl moved away from him. She made her way over to his crouched form, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze before helping him up. She could see the self-doubt in his eyes even as he smiled down at her, and it hurt. But right now they had to focus on their guests. On the reason why they were here.
"Killian, why don't you get some hot drinks sorted while we take Katie up to see her room?" Emma turned around to face the others. "Would you like that Katie?" The girl seemed to contemplate this for a moment, before nodding her head. "Cool, it's just up these stairs."
"Lead the way, dear." Mrs Bradey's warm smile offered Emma some reassurance as she started to climb the stairs. Killian handed the woman the suitcase to take with her, watching the females disappear out of sight. He waited until he was certain that he was alone before slumping down in a kitchen chair.
"Bloody hell." He sighed running a hand over his face. He hadn't thought it possible for the lass to be shyer than when he'd first met her, but alas he'd been proven wrong. She seemed to have cowered away from him, which given her past wasn't exactly surprising. Putting a stop to a thought that would only anger him, Killian got started on making some hot drinks. At least Emma seemed to have made some progress, he thought to himself, smiling at Katie's seemingly positive reaction to the idea of having her own room.
Upstairs Emma walked to the room at the end of the hall. She hadn't realised just how big a step this was until she stopped in front of the closed door. She focused on steadying her breathing as she waited for the others to join her. A small gasp came from behind her and she turned to see a pair of blue eyes staring at the door. Katie reached out her hand slowly to lightly touch the glittery block letters that Killian had put on the day before; KATIE in alternating pink and purple. Emma blinked back tears, for what she was sure wouldn't be the only time that day, at the action.
"Katie?" Emma tried to keep her voice as soft as possible, but the young girl jumped all the same. She withdrew her hand and looked down at the floor, as if she was worried she had done something wrong. Emma's heart broke for her. She knew exactly what that was like, having spent so many years trying to do the right things so that families would keep her. In the end though, nothing she did seemed good enough so she stopped trying. "Do you like them?" She waited for a response, but Katie's eyes remained fixated on her feet. Mrs Bradey nodded for her to keep going. "Cause if you don't that's ok. We can take them off and…" Emma didn't even have to finish her sentence before the girl's gaze shot up, shaking her head at the suggestion. The ladies grinned at how cute she looked in that moment. "So you do like them?" Katie nodded her head in her affirmative. "In that case, they're here to stay. Now let's see inside shall we?" Emma held the door open for Katie to go in first, but the girl seemed hesitant to enter.
"Go ahead, sweetie. It's all yours if you want it to be." Mrs Bradey's encouragement got Katie to step into the room at least. "You're doing great, hun." The lady whispered as she passed by Emma into the room. Emma answered with a smile, although inside she didn't feel like she was really doing anything. She hung back in the doorway, watching Katie tentatively walk around the room. The girl seemed to touch everything as if she was afraid that it wasn't really there, like it would disappear if she used too much pressure. She stroked the duvet set, which was the same pattern that she'd had at the home; the books had suggested that having something familiar may help the child to settle in. Noticing the girl's longing looks at the bed, Mrs Bradey stepped up next to her. "Why don't you take a seat? Give it a try, huh?" Katie bit her bottom lip and looked towards Emma, as if asking for her permission.
"Killian spent a long time choosing it, I know he'd like to know what you think of it." Emma entered the room, crouching down so that she was below her. Katie smiled shyly at the idea that so many people cared about what she thought about all of this. Up until this point she thought that Mrs Bradey was the only adult who would show her kindness. Maybe it was time to rethink her rule, she thought as she climbed onto the bed. She began to sink into the mattress ever so slightly, the soft fluffy feel making her think of a cloud. She placed her bear at her side as she ran her free hand over the duvet, imagining what it would be like to sleep on a cloud. Mrs Bradey sat down beside her, warmed by the happiness radiating of the young girl. Katie lifted her head to meet Emma's hopeful gaze. "What d'you think, sweetie?"
Katie felt her smile grow wider at the pet name Emma had used. That was another thing that she thought only Mrs Bradey would ever do, only her who would ever see her like that. "It's like a cloud." She hadn't really processed that she was going to answer out loud, it just sort of slipped out. She saw tears come to Emma's eyes and immediately though that that was wrong. That she should have stayed quiet. She felt tears threatening at the thought that she would never see this room again. Never see Emma or Killian again. However, she blinked the tears away; having learnt early on that crying only made things worse. Emma, on the other hand, felt like her heart was going to burst at hearing her speak for the first time. She was certain that there wasn't a sweeter sound in the world. However, she saw the smile disappear from the girl's face and realised that she thought she was in trouble.
"Wow really?" Emma laughed lightly in an attempt to reassure the seven year old. "That's good right?" She felt relief wash over her as a small smile returned to Katie's face. The girl placed her bear in her lap, burying her face in the golden fur. The women looked at her in silence for a few moments, taking in the precious sight.
"Katie, why don't you stay up here for a short while, and we'll go have a chat downstairs? Does that sound ok to you?" Mrs Bradey stood up from the bed after receiving little more than a mumbled sound from the child. Emma hoped that she'd be able to learn the different meanings for Katie's small noises. The quicker the better, she thought as she followed the social worker out of the room. "I don't think that could have gone any better." The lady laid her hand on Emma's arm as they descended the stairs.
"Well that sounds promising." Killian voiced from the entryway, having stood from the kitchen at the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Very. Your wife's a natural." Mrs Bradey gushed as took her seat at the kitchen table, which Killian pulled out for her. "And as charming as you are."
"My pleasure, milady." The pirate went to pull out Emma's chair for her, something that he still did every so often. She just shook her head, kissing him on the cheek in a way of thanks.
"So Katie liked the room, I take it?" Killian put a tray of biscuits down before sitting in between the women.
"She definitely did. Especially the bed." Mrs Bradey spoke through the biscuit crumbs. Killian's eyes lit up as he turned to Emma, who was sporting a wide smile.
"She said it was like a cloud." Emma grasped her husband's hand as his jaw dropped open.
"She…Katie said that?" Killian felt slightly breathless.
"That she did. I've never known her speak so soon around people. I think she surprised herself."
"She definitely surprised me." Emma laughed nervously. She hoped Killian didn't feel bad about missing it. Although, by the look on his face, he seemed delighted.
They spoke for a little longer; working out the details and making arrangements for Mrs Bradey's visit in two weeks' time. This was a two week trial period after all. If it all went smoothly, for everyone involved, then they could look into the long term. Even get the ball rolling on adopting Katie as their own.
"You ok, love?" Killian leaned towards his wife, once Mrs Bradey had gone to say her farewells to Katie.
"Uh huh…" Emma let out a sigh at his sceptical raise of his eyebrow. "I am. It's just…I can't believe we're actually doing this. Like now."
"Do you still want to do this? Because if it not I would think it much better to say so now rather-" He was silenced by Emma's finger pressing on his lips.
"Of course I do, Killian. It's just taken us so long to get here, to what feels like a new happy beginning. I want it to be perfect." It still surprised Emma sometimes, how easy it was to talk to her true love.
"Aye, love, I feel the same way." Killian raised his hand to cup her cheek, bringing their lips together in gentle kiss. "I know you, Swan, and I know that I'm better when I'm with you. You have such a loving heart, Emma, and I don't doubt that the lass will thrive on it. I've yet to see you fail. I'd be shocked if I ever did."
"I do love you, you know." Emma blushed as she leant her head on his shoulder.
"That I do. Though I'll never tire of hearing it." The pirate laid a kiss to the top of her head.
"Oh, look at the two of you." Mrs Bradey exclaimed as she rounded the corner into the kitchen. The couple smiled, long since used to the woman's appreciation for their relationship.
"How is she?" Emma pulled away from her husband and started to clear the table.
"Well, she definitely likes that bed." The woman chuckled lightly as shrugged on her coat. "She's fallen asleep up there, bless her."
"Is she ok?" Killian glanced at the clock on the wall; it was barely mid-afternoon.
"Oh yes she's fine, don't worry yourself. Katie does often nap, especially seeing as she didn't sleep much last night. I've left a note for her, with my number saying that she can ring me when she wakes up if she'd like. Also she can call me anytime, day or night, I'll answer. That applies to the two of you also."
"Thanks. For everything." Emma initiated the hug goodbye and Mrs Bradey reciprocated the embrace.
"Aye, you've been most kind." Killian received his own hug from the woman as she exited the house. The couple then went to check on Katie; who was indeed sleeping soundly in her bed, clutching her teddy to her chest. Leaving the door to her room open, they left her to her slumber. Turning on Netflix, Emma cuddled up to her husband on the sofa to watch some old comedy show.
Half way through the second episode, a sound came from upstairs. Pausing the show, Emma propped her head up to listen for it. Killian's ears had perked up too and he tensed slightly under his wife. A scream sounded from upstairs, sending them both to their feet. They ran up that stairs and into the young girl's room. Katie was sat up in bed, blanket thrown off of her, clutching her teddy to her chest. And screaming.
"Katie, sweetie…" Emma slowly approached the terrified child, not wishing to spook her further. "Katie, its ok." The girl's screams stopped, her scared eyes staring past Emma at Killian.
"That's right lass, you're safe." Killian stepped into the room, intent on soothing the seven year old. The girl's cries began to gain volume once more as she shook her head violently. Killian read the signs hard and clear, stopping in his tracks.
"Katie, it's just us. Me and Killian. You're safe." Emma kept her voice steady although her heart was beating fast. This girl was having a panic attack, something she herself had experience with. Katie's breathing was getting quicker, the breaths short gasps as the little body tried to get air. All the while she wouldn't take her gaze off of Killian. Emma looked up at him. It was clear that he'd made the same connection. "Killian, I think it might be better if you…" She pleaded with her husband, seeing the look of defeat return to his face.
"It would seem so." And with that the pirate left the scene. Katie already started to calm after his departure.
Killian got himself a drink of rum downstairs, not bothering to turn on the lights although the sun had started to set. Sitting in the darkness he mulled over the events. He hated what Katie had been through to make this happen. He was presuming that it had been a dream, maybe even containing a flashback, which caused her to get like this. He was pleased that Emma seemed to be able to help her, to relate to her. He hated what she had been through to make that happen.
Killian awoke to find himself alone in the bed he shared with his wife. With a frown he reached over to feel her side of the bed. It was still warm. Warm and slightly damp. Like it was after she'd had a nightmare. The bad dreams plagued them both less and less as time went on, but they still experienced them on occasion. Over the past couple of years, however, Emma would wake him if she had one; or she would at least remain in their bed. The door to their en-suitewas open and the room was pitch black. She clearly wasn't in there. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Killian went to find his wife.
The whole house was dark, and eerily silent. As he descended the stairs, however, a small thrumming noise reached his ears. Stepping onto the flat hardwood flooring, Killian got a fright at the sight of Emma. She was sat on one of the kitchen chairs, drumming her fingers against the table.
"Emma?" Killian asked as he reached to turn on a lamp, adding a soft golden glow to the downstairs. She didn't answer him, didn't register his presence at all. "Emma?" He spoke louder this time, coming to sit across from her. He reached out to grasp his wife's hand, stilling her movements. She looked up at him with red rimmed eyes.
"Killian?" Emma didn't want him to find her, not this time. Because she knew he'd get her to talk about it. "Sorry, did I wake you?"
"What happened, love? Was it a nightmare?" He felt her bristle under his touch. Even so she plastered a measly smile onto her face.
"What? I'm fine. Let's go to bed." She went to get up, but Killian's stormy gaze stopped her.
"Emma, please. Talk to me." Killian used his stump to push some stray hairs away from her eyes.
"It's nothing." Emma couldn't even make that sound like the truth.
"Is it about what we heard today? About what happened to little Katie?" Even thinking about what that young girl had been through, at the hands of a monster, made Killian's blood boil. Emma merely cast her eyes to their hands, as a tear slipped down her cheek.
"I…I can't stop thinking about it." Emma's voice quivered through her admission.
"I know, darling, it's truly heart-breaking." Killian tilted his wife's head up to meet his. In her eyes there was more than just sympathy for the child. There was empathy. "Love?"
"I guess I relate to her…on some level. Not that what I went through can even begin to compare…" Emma's lips started to tremble as more tears began to fall. Killian felt a pit form in his stomach. He had an inkling about what was coming. "I was 11. It was the older brother of one of the kids in a care home I was in." Killian's jaw tensed as the words poured from Emma's mouth in a small voice. "He couldn't look after his younger brother, him being only 19. But he could visit. On these visits he'd always stay longer, without an actual supervising adult. To be honest there was rarely a supervising adult around anyway…. Usually it was just comments. Little touches as he walked past. But a couple of times he... he…" Emma flinched at the anger she saw in her husband's eyes. She knew it wasn't aimed at her. But at the scumbags that existed in the world.
"He what?" His voice came out harsher than he meant it to. Killian stroked her cheek with his stump, brushing away the tears as they fell. "Emma, you can tell me."
"I know." The blonde gulped as she leant into her pirate's touch. "He came into my room and did stuff. Touched me. Made me…made me touch him. You know…in that way." Tears came to Killian's eyes at the pain he saw in his wife's.
"Emma, I…" It was rare that Captain Hook didn't have anything to say. In this situation, however, he couldn't think of any words that would help.
"You don't have to say anything. I knew it was wrong. It only happened a handful of times before I spoke up. The staff didn't believe me, thought I was causing trouble, so I got moved to another home. Never saw him again." Emma shrugged her shoulders and sniffed. She was glad that was over. She was glad she had told him. She actually felt lighter now, as she always did after letting him in.
"I'm so sorry, love." Killian was trembling. He wanted to track his man down and skin him alive for what he'd done to Emma. He wanted to do the same to the man who had hurt Katie. But he knew it would bring no real good.
"Hey, hey." Emma brought both of her hands up to cup his cheeks, staring into his eyes with nothing but love. "You've got nothing to be sorry for. I have you now. I know you'll take care of me, protect me, treat me the right way for as long as you live. You love me. And I love you. And, hopefully, we'll be able to share that love with Katie. You'll be able to work your special brand of magic which takes pain and turns into happiness." Emma wasn't normally one for such words. That was always more of Killian's territory. However she knew he needed to hear them, and she needed to say them. He stared at her for a second, just taking in her brilliance. Then he pulled her in for an earth-shattering kiss. After which they went back to bed and made gentle love to each other. Killian washing away the pain that Emma had felt with each caress of her skin.
Killian realised that Emma was drawing from her experiences with him as well. She was using the love they had for each other to wash away the little girl's pain. Just as he had with her. And that realisation lifted his heart.