Pacific City, Oregon.
Emma stood in her new room. She had painted the walls a few days ago, going from a weird green color to a soft purple. She loved the way it worked out for her and Killian. Now that she was in the house she was cooking for them and helping him go through applications and filing all the paper work away for him. It shocked her how easy things were between them.
She tucked her black shirt in to her skirt as she finished dressing, having a shift down at the diner in only 25 minutes. Killian had been down at the work site since 6 that morning, some new interviews having filled up his day. Slipping her shoes on and heading down stairs she stopped when she noticed the note on the counter.
"Em, I will be home late. Having a meeting with the guys. See you later. – Kill"
Emma smiled as she set the note down and grabbed an apple, not wanting to be late to work. As she locked the door, she heard her phone chirp. She waited until she had started her walk towards Granny's to open the message.
"Robin and David work in late tonight. Let's see about doing a Girls night? –Rub."
Emma smiled as she thought it for a moment. Why wouldn't she say yes to that? She opened the door to Granny's before she started typing a reply, knowing Ruby wouldn't be in till later.
"Duh! Where? M, A, B, and R on bored too? –E."
She put her phone in her pocket and tied her apron on before she started busting tables, helping the tourist who had come in for the beginning of summer. She moved around the diner like she had been there her whole life when she heard Ruby clear her throat behind her.
"Well hello Busy bee. It's been 3 hours. Take a break and read your messages. We grouped up." Ruby told her as she started taking over, Emma moving to the back booth and took a seat, thanking Ruby for the water she set down as she went to take orders. Emma opened her phone reading through the messages.
"Grouped up, it's easier. Let's go to The rabbit hole? – Rub."
"Works for me. What time? – MM."
"I'm in, Granny said she would watch Roland. Are we meeting there? –Regina."
"Let's say 7? Emma must be busy or she is ignoring us. – Rub."
"She's probs busy. I'm in too by the way. Ash says she's in as well. Busy shelving books. 7 works for us. – Belle."
"Yay! Now it's a good girls night! Also David said Killian wouldn't want Emma to drink too much, I guess he's worried about her. – MM."
"That doesn't surprise me. He seems so protective of her. Robin is worried he hurt himself. –Regina."
"Belle said she wants them together. How cute would they be? I agree! Also, do you know if the guys are still hiring? Sean needs work asap! – Ashley."
"Guys you know Em can see these rights? But im in agreement! Cute couple! – Rub."
"Ashley tell Sean they are! Have him go talk to Killian. I am sure they would love to have him working! –MM."
"Guys back to topic. Rabbit hole 7 pm? Everyone in? – Regina."
"Yeah of course. We are all in. See everyone there. PS Emma we love you! –Rubs."
Emma laughed as she went over all the messages, she loved this crazy city and all the girls she was able to call her best friends. She never had a true best friend outside of Trina and even she was hard to connect with. With a sigh she started texting in the group.
"First, I'm excited about tonight. It will be fun to have a girl's night and let loose. And second, I doubt anything can ever happen between me and Killian. He still loves his wife. And Ash, have him fill the app out and bring it with you tonight. I'll get it to Killian tomorrow –Ems." She sent them before she stood up ready to get back to work.
Out of everyone in the group, Ruby, Regina, Mary Margret, Ashley, Belle, she connected with Belle the quickest. Ruby was right behind. It was amazing how fast she clicked with them all. On separate days they had each come in to the diner for lunch or dinner and Ruby introduced her and it was like they had been friends for years after that.
Regina was the only one who didn't seem to warm up to Emma that well. It was like she didn't want Emma around. Emma just figured they needed to hang out more or something. Shrugging it off she put her phone away and brought her water to the counter before she started working again, calling orders to Walsh who would roll his eyes and looked to Emma like he was plotting something.
Emma grabbed her phone out as a thought came to her mind. She had been a red head for a while and missed her blonde hair. She missed the old Emma in certain aspects. Plus the red was always running when it rained and had already ruined pillow cases. She opened the group text and smirked.
"I need some hair help tonight. Let's get ready with Ruby instead of alone? I could use a lot of help! – Ems."
Before she got back to work she checked her phone to see everyone was in, they couldn't wait to help her. Though Ruby did throw a towel at her with a comment she could have just asked her alone. Emma laughed as she went back to work, smiling and excited for a night out.
Killian sat back in the office again, 3 days in a row now, and focused on the interview. The man before him, Peter, was a nice guy. No experience but he wanted to learn. And his family was more than willing to move there if he got the job. That was enough for Killian to interview him. Robin had joined in on this one seeing as it was one of the guys robin wanted for his team. As the questions were asked, Killian listened and wrote things down, wanting to have notes to go over with the guys for that night.
"Peter, I want to thank you for coming in today. We won't have a solid answer for a few days but I can say it does look promising." Robin told him as he stood up and shook the man's hand. Killian did the same giving him a smile, thanking him as well.
Once peter left the office, Tiny poked his head in and gave them both a smile.
"Hey boss. The guys are breaking for lunch, and there's a lady here to see you, Says it's important." He told Killian before he set the clipboard down and headed back out. Killian sighed as he stood up.
"Order me something for lunch when you go? If its Zelena, I have no clue how long it will take." He said as he handed Robin a 5 and headed out of the office, slipping his shades on. Sure enough, Zelena, someone who had been interested in buying one of the houses when it was done, stood there complaining on her phone. Killian cleared his throat, glad when she hung up and looked to him.
"KILLIAN! It's so good to see you. How are you? How's my house coming alone?" She asked as she tried to give him a hug, Killian stepping back so she wouldn't. Her hugs where like a snake getting around your throat. Tight and never let go.
"I'm good, thank you. The house is coming along just fine. We just finished all the framing last week and started on the roof as well as getting the inside started. It should be a couple more weeks to a month until its done. We won't have the right permits to get you in until August like I told you last week, but it will be ready then." He told her as he looked to the house that would be hers, the only one with a taken marker in the front. He worried it would be the only one that sold but he knew it would all be okay. They would sell fast like the others once it was done.
"Oh good! But like I told you last week, I want to move in in the end of July. I have a yearly party in August and I do not want to be moving in just before that party!" She said her voice rising as she glared at him. Killian shook his head watching her.
"You knew the date when you bought the house, you knew the date when you signed the paper work, and you were okay with it both times. I cannot push up work when we are building 5 other houses at the same time. I'm sorry but you will have to wait to move in until August. I have to get back to work. It was nice seeing you again. Say hello to the husband." He said as he ducked his head and left not wanting to hear her yell anymore. She got nasty when she didn't get her way and he didn't care to deal with it.
Stepping back in to the empty office, he sat down and took a breath, wishing for five minutes where things when right. The houses were on track, people were starting to show some interest in them as they get more work done, and He had a growing company. He knew things would be okay, maybe he was just tired of it at the moment. Hearing his phone chirp he grabbed it out of the drawer and smiled as he opened it. Not only did he have one new text from Emma, but 5 from the other all making him laugh.
"Girls night tonight so I won't be home either. BUT I will drop off food from Granny's before I leave to Ruby's so you have something to eat when you get home. Also Sean, Ashley's Boyfriend, is filling an app out. Ill leave it on the counter. Give him a fair shot, no playing favorites! : ) – Ems."
"Killian, you and Emma? She always smiles at her phone when she texts you. Please don't break her heart. But do something before someone else like Walsh makes a move! Also Did you know her hair isn't natural? It's amazing what I'm learning! Also Whale needs info on the houses. He is looking to move out of his apartment. We get complaints ;) – Rubs."
"Killian did you ask Emma out yet? Its girls night, don't worry ill make sure she is safe, but ask her out soon? David thinks you guys would be cute! – mm."
"Killian, has Robin asked you to be in the wedding yet? He's slacking and I need to know. Best man, in or out? – Regina."
"That was harsh I'm sorry he just has me so stressed out! He seems to be stalling for some reason. Can you talk to him? I do want you in the wedding too. I promise. –Regina."
"On our way back with food. Monster gone? – Robin."
Killian laughed as he replied to them all starting with Robins.
"Yes monster gone, still trying to push the date up. We need to figure things out tonight at the meeting. Tell Dave he as a couple interviews after lunch. More apps came in today so we will need to meet at my place and go over them. Girls night. – K "
"He hasn't asked me yet, I think work stress is getting to him. But ill talk to him and let you know. Im honored to be the best man. Just breath I know things will be okay. –K."
"No I haven't asked her out yet give me time. I just don't want to do anything too sudden. She's only been here a month and a half. Soon okay? Have fun tonight. Dave's coming to mine. Work meeting. –K."
"Walsh can try but Emma says she doesn't like him. Something about him always seeming to be plotting? I don't know anything about hair, that's your thing. Whale can come down and see me for a change, that loser, and ill give him the paper work to the realtors office. ALSO I need your blue prints for your salon, I need to start getting the permits done. –K."
"Trust me, I won't play favorites. But I do like Sean. He's a good man. I wonder what has him needing a job now. Have a fun girl's night. I'll be having the boys over for a meeting, I will need some help the next day you are off. The trailers a mess with papers and I have no clue where to start. –k."
Killian sat back as he waited for Dave and Robin to get there, wondering when would be a good time to ask Emma out. He wanted to ask her soon but he was scared to run her off. As the door opened he shook the thoughts from his head and focused on lunch and a quick meeting to go over applications and recent interviews.
Emma stood in Ruby's bathroom, her recently stripped and dyed hair wrapped in a towel as she pulled the blue dress on. Ruby insisted that they start on her hair the second she was off work and Emma was glad they did. It took longer than she thought, but she trusted Ruby. Her hair was almost back to normal, brighter by a shade or two and she loved it.
"Em hurry, I still need to style your hair and makeup!" Ruby called, causing Emma to hurry with the dress and leave the bathroom. Ashley sat on the bed, her black dress tight on her growing stomach. She had just announced to them she was 4 months pregnant and scared. But they all promised to be there for her, causing her to calm some. Mary Margret sat beside her in tight skinny jeans and a dark green top, talking about baby names and things she had left over from having Neil that she could have, if Ashley had a boy. Regina and Belle stood in the corner, Regina in a white dress and Belle in a cream colored top and black skinny jeans, talking about work. Ruby sat Emma down and started on her hair, Emma laughing as she did.
"Alright, Emma you and Killian?" Regina said as she sat down on the couch in the corner smirking. She was blunt, Emma would give her that.
"Yeah what about you guys? He seems to be crushing on you." Ashley said smiling at Emma. Emma wanted to run away from this topic. She liked Killian but she was scared to hurt him. Plus Neal was coming here apparently and she didn't want anything to happen to Killian.
"We are just friends you guys. He's helping me get back in to school to work at J.R. and I'm just being his friend." She said with a shrug as ruby started putting curlers in loosely.
"I've known Killian since he moved here. He doesn't just help anyone, not after Liam left the way he did and Milah. There is something about you that he is drawn too. And I agree with Ash, he's totally crushing on you." Ruby said smirking as she started on Emma's make up.
"Why would Killian want someone like me?" Emma said softly, Ruby pausing to look at her. There were still things the girls didn't know. Neal was a big part of them. When they had asked why she moved there, Emma just said she wanted a fresh start and somehow Pacific City came up on Google. Ruby shook her head before she went back to work on the makeup.
"Because you are smart, and beautiful, Easy to talk too, you make him laugh in a way I haven't seen in a long time. There is more to you than you give yourself Credit for." Ruby said, the others agreeing. As she finished Emma turned and looked in the mirror behind her. With her hair curled in soft waves and her makeup lightly done, she looked like the old Emma. The one that hadn't met Neal yet and believed the world was full of good.
Maybe she should take the risk with Killian?
Killian, Robin, and David sat in Killian's living room, the stack of applications between them on the coffee table. Robin had about 10 in his hand that he wanted to interview and David had 6. They were going to stop taking applications the next day, they all wanted to get back to work and soon.
"Alright, we have interviewed 10 so far this last week. Peter, Lance, Archie, Doug, Flynn, and Kristof, are the only ones that seem to make the cute for us. Robin you said you wanted Peter, Flynn and Kristof on your crew. And David you wanted the other three right?" Killian asked, taking a drink of his coffee trying to keep awake. His days were long but he knew once this was done, life would go back to normal. Maybe.
"That's right. I only want a crew of 8 so I'm hoping out of these 10, I have 5 solid ones. I know Emma said not to do Sean any favors but he seems like he would be a good fit on my team. He's strong, has the will to learn and be on call, and he's local. I want to interview him by Friday. By Monday I want my crew to know and for us to be able to get started. We could get the houses up faster." Robin said a yawn ending his words. Killian knew how rough things were for him; between work and the wedding he was barely sleeping himself. Maybe they all needed a night or two off?
"I agree with Robin. Let's get all interviews done by Friday, that gives us 3 days, and then we can start Monday. Training will be a bit harder, though we could pair them up with guys already working and go from there? It might help make sure we are all on the same page and the guys are all connecting?" David suggested causing Killian to nod. One big thing about J.R. was that it was a family company. They wanted the men to feel like they had some where to belong and fit in. It was important to Killian and David and Robin knew that too.
After another hour, Killian saw the men out and headed to pick up the papers all over the coffee table. Most of the applications they weren't going to take they put in to a box and saved them for later. As he finished he heard the door open and Emma walked in.
"How was girls-." Killian stopped when he saw her. She looked so beautiful. The blue against her skin made him want to touch her. He loved that color before but now? Now it was his favorite. Being blonde seemed to suite her so much better. She looked beyond beautiful.
"Killian?" Emma asked softly wondering if everything was okay. Part of her knew he was taking in her hair and seemed to enjoy it. He shook his head giving her a smile.
"I'm sorry. You just look beautiful." He told her giving her a smile as he set the box aside. "How was girl's night?" He asked picking up the mugs, taking them to the kitchen.
"It was good. I actually enjoyed myself." She said as she followed him to the kitchen, resting up against the counter top behind him. He turned and faced heer, his eyes taking her face in slowly.
"I'm glad. You deserved to go have fun." He told her softly. Emma watched him, wondering if he was going to kiss her or if she was just imagining things. She stood there unable to think of something to say to him; for once she was at a loss of words. Killian knew he shouldn't. He should keep the space between them, tell her good night and go to bed. But he didn't want too. And his will power sucked as he crossed the kitchen and cupped her face gently, his lips pressing lightly to hers.
Emma stood there for a moment, taking it all in before her hands moved to his arms, keeping him close as she kissed him back.
It was as if everything around them stopped. His hands dropped to her waist pulling her closer and her arms wrapped around his neck letting the kiss deepen more. Killian pulled away after a moment, his eyes on hers. They both wore a matching smile, one that seemed more real than ever before.
"I'd apologize for kissing you love but I can't seem to feel sorry." He said with a small laugh, his hands resting on the small of her back holding her close.
"Good I'm glad. I don't want you to." She said as she pushed up on her toes again and kissed him grinning as he lifted her up to the counter, stepping between her legs. Only when he pulled back to yawn a while later did Emma realize how late it was.
"Killian! You have to be up early. You're seriously going to be tired." She told him with a small frown as she looked to him, already seeing the signs on his face of being overly tired.
"This was more than worth missing sleep. Trust me." He said smiling as he pulled back giving them space.
Emma watched him with a smile on her face realizing that for the second time he had said that to her, she did.
She trusted him.
A|N: THEY KISSED! Finally! Ahha What did you think?! Love it or hate it? I wrote this as soon as chapter 3 was posted, like I said its easy to write! I plan to have at least 2 out a week until its done. Which it may be longer than 10 as planned given this chapter wasn't planned at all. I just wanted some fun moments for you guys. Fridays and Tuesdays seem to be days ill post, gives me time to write between work and the gym. Next chapter Neal comes in to play a little more, though he's not in town yet. Emma gets some school info and cute fluffy moments between her and Killian. OH and someone from the past for another character comes to town. Love you guys! Hope you are all enjoying! Leave a review and let me know what you think!
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing! Just ideas in my head that get written down. Characters are not mine, and safe haven like areas are not mine as well! Thanks for the love!