CHAPTER 6 - Reunited with You
The groan of the coffee machine awoke Emma. She pulled her eyes open, staring around the room groggily before grabbing her glasses. She needed to put her contacts in.
"Who's there?" She grumbled, her words slurring due to fatigue.
"Morning, Swan." Came the wide awake voice of Killian. Emma groaned again, pulling off the blankets and padding over to the table. A mug of coffee slid in front of her. She nodded her thanks before taking a sip.
"I forgot you were a morning person." Killian laughed, and Emma felt her heart wake up. She loved hearing Killian laugh. "I wanted to thank you, Killian."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "What for?"
"For dinner last night, I had a great time. I'm sorry it came to such an abrupt end."
Killian laughed again. "That's more than alright, Swan. I think it ended better than either of us expected.
He smiled, looking over at the closed door of the guest bedroom. Emma nodded, smiling and sipping her coffee.
"Did you sleep alright?" Emma held back a wince, putting on a huge smile. "Yeah, really well. Slept like a baby on that couch." Killian shook his head, obviously seeing through the lie.
Emma quickly changed the subject, and they spent the morning chatting, discussing Emma's plans further and recalling memories of their childhood.
"Take that, you dirty pirate!"
"Oh Peter, be careful!" Emma had cried, hands over her mouth.
"Don't worry, Wendy. I'll keep this villain from ever harming you!" Came from Liam as he and Killian clashed their swords together.
Killian had laughed maniacally, brandishing the plastic hook that covered his left hand.
"You took my hand, Pan, and fed it to that blasted crocodile. Now I will take your Wendy." Killian had lightly pushed Liam off of the wall, who fell dramatically, screaming for 'Wendy' to run.
Emma had gathered her skirts, bracing herself to run when Killian had grabbed her by the hand and dragged her away.
Despite trying to stay in their roles, they couldn't help giggling as they ran down the garden and hid behind the rose bush, as Liam had feigned ignorance and pretended to be searching for her.
"Oh yeah! And then I cut my finger on a rose thorn and refused to let you cover it with a Pirates of the Caribbean bandaid cause I wanted an animal one and I'd never seen it."
Killian laughed heartily at the memory, Emma giggling next to him.
"I didn't forgive you all evening, because my obsession with Pirates of the Caribbean was almost as passionate as my one with Peter Pan. Then you said you'd watch it with me and ended up loving it."
"And then I begged you to put the bandaid on even though it'd stopped bleeding!"
Emma and Killian were still chortling when David entered from the guest bedroom, hair tousled from sleep. Emma smiled widely at the sight of her father, still finding it strange to see him awake and moving again. Killian looked at how happy she was, and felt his heart flutter for her. I've missed that smile. He thought to himself.
"Morning, you two." David yawned at them.
"Morning, Dad."
"Good morning, Mr Swan." Emma and David rolled their eyes at the blue-eyed man.
"For heavens sakes, Jones. How many times do I have to tell you to call me David?" Killian flushed.
"Sorry, Mr Sw- David." Emma chuckled, blushing slightly at how flustered Killian looked. He smiled lopsidedly at her. What a dork. She thought. My dork.
"So, your mother rang, she was about half an hour away from boarding, so we have about an hour and a half to get ready."
Emma sprang up, draining her mug of coffee. She placed the cup back down.
"I'm gonna go shower then!" She smiled at the two men before racing into the bathroom and turning on the shower.
She was about to pull her top off when there was a knock at the door. It was Killian.
"Thought you'd want a towel and your bag, Swan. I didn't think you'd like the idea of having to leave the bathroom without them."
Emma flushed at the thought of Killian seeing her naked. He chuckled as she thanked him, pulling the items for his arms and pushing the door shut.
She leant against the wood of the door, sighing. Stop thinking of him like this, Emma. He's your friend. There was a weight on the other side of the door and Emma realised that Killian was also leaning against it.
"Jones!" Her father called from the kitchen and the weight lifted.
Emma let out the breath that she hadn't realised she had been holding and turned her mind to showering.
Once washed and dressed, Emma left the bathroom. Upon seeing the door open, David rushed in after her, already decked out with a towel and a bundle of Killian's clothes. He mumbled something about wanting to be rid of the hospital smell. Emma and Killian shared a look that led to them snorting with laughter.
"I can hear you!" Emma's father called from inside the bathroom. Emma paced over to Killian, returning to her seat at the table. He slid a fresh cup of coffee towards her, along with a plate of pancakes.
"Your father and I already ate, but we made enough for you." He said, flashing her that oh so perfect smile of his.
Emma thanked him and dug in, suddenly ravenous. Her eyes fluttered closed as she took her first bite. Killian was an amazing cook.
"I guess I'll shower tonight, with your father having been in the hospital for so long, I imagine he will take a while in there. I'll be back in a tick, Swan, I'm just going to go and get dressed."
Emma nodded, chewing a mouthful of pancake. She watched him leave, noticing how his pajama pants were hanging a little to low on his hips.
She smirked momentarily, before shaking her head at herself. Don't let Ruby get to you.
Just as she finished her pancakes, David exited the bathroom, his hair sticking up from where he had towel dried it. Emma rinsed her plate and stuck it in Killian's dishwasher. She darted into the bathroom and brushed her teeth.
Once all three were ready to go, they pulled on their jackets and shoes and left the apartment. Emma felt nerves invade her stomach as soon as they stepped over the apartment's threshold.
She grabbed Killian's hand nervously. He looked down at her, and recognising the anxiety in her eyes he gave her hand a light squeeze and shot a reassuring smile her way.
The drive to the airport was silent. Emma was full of fear and nerves, David was full of excitement and anticipation and Killian had no idea of anything to say.
He held his breath as he drove quietly, knuckles white against the wheel as the woman next to him rocked slightly, her hands moving as she fiddled with the hem of her jumper.
Emma drew in a sharp breath as they came to a stop in the parking lot. David bounded out of the car, impatiently waiting for Killian and Emma to get a move on.
"It'll be okay, Swan. She won't have changed." Emma smiled at her friend weakly.
They made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. They had brought a large piece of paper with them, holding the thick black print of the words: MARY MARGARET SWAN.
Emma was shaking slightly now, and David slung his arm around her shoulders, mistaking her nerves for excitement.
A crowd of people suddenly began filing out through the main doors of the arrivals lounge. David raised himself onto his toes, craning his head to find his wife among the mass.
But it was Killian who spotted the head of short black hair between the hundreds of others.
"There she is!" He cried, pointing towards her as she struggled to manoeuvre between the bodies. Mary Margaret looked up and locked eyes with her husband. She grinned widely and began forcing her way through the crowd.
David dropped the sign and started running towards her. Emma squeezed Killian's hand as the couple collided, hugging each other tightly. Killian smiled down at his friend, who had tears streaming down her cheeks.
After a make out session that led to Killian and Emma having to avert their eyes and feel very uncomfortable, Mary Margaret bolted over to her daughter. She grabbed Emma, pulling her into a tight hug as the two descended into sobbing messes.
David passed Mary Margaret's suitcase to Killian, who had stood away from the family not wanting to intrude, and joined his wife and daughter's embrace.
"You found us." Mary Margaret managed through her tears. Emma felt more tears escape from her eyelids as she felt David's hand grasp the back of her head as after almost ten years, she felt the love from her whole family.
After a few minutes of relishing in being together again, the three broke apart. Emma looked towards Killian, her eyes shining with tears to see him grinning broadly, his smile showing his absolute joy at seeing the Swans reunited.
Mary Margaret followed her daughter's gaze, her green eyes finally landing on Killian. Confusion filled her face for a moment before the penny dropped.
"Emma, honey. Is that-?" Emma nodded, looking back at her mom.
"Killian Jones?" Mary Margaret gasped. Killian looked at the woman who had been like a mother to him for so many years. Mary Margaret laughed and ran at him, pulling him into a bone-crushing hug.
"Oh my stars, you're back. You're both back." She grabbed Emma and pulled her into the hug. "You're both together again. It's been too long. How long have you been back?"
"Maybe we should have this discussion elsewhere?" Emma giggled.
Emma and Killian were in line at the airport cafe. Killian ordered the drinks as Emma appeared to be in a state of shock. Her eyes kept flitting back to her parents, who were sat gazing at each other, eyes full of love.
The barista managed to snap Emma out of it by handing her some drinks. She thanked her and followed Killian back to the table. She slid a cup of cocoa to her mother, followed by a shaker of cinnamon. Mary Margaret grinned at her daughter.
The four began explaining to the others what they had been doing for the past eight years. Mary Margaret had been working alongside her parents in New York, they had obviously wanted to grieve Snow and the Swans together. She had never met anyone new, because 'her love for David was too strong to replace'. Emma had fake gagged at that statement.
When Emma had told Mary Margaret about taking over as florist in her shop, her mother cried again. She cried even harder when Killian mentioned Emma working in his shop with him and that she was going to start police training.
But the happy atmosphere was broken when Mary Margaret asked Killian how his father and Liam were. Killian had frozen, looking at Emma with wild terrified eyes. She sucked in a breath. Killian started to panic, his limbs were rigid and his hands had started to shake. He spluttered, his eyes filling with tears.
Emma reached out to him, her hand cupping his face. She stroked her thumb along to small scar on his cheek, looking deeply into his cerulean eyes.
"Killian, breathe." At her gentle command, Killian drew a shaky breath, before sighing. He closed his eyes, nestling his cheek into her palm. She smiled lightly, leaning forwards and muttering in his ear.
"Go to the restroom and calm down. I'll explain." He thanked her, kissed her cheek and glanced apologetically at her parents before walking briskly off, shaking his head at himself.
Mary Margaret and David were staring at their daughter, who took a deep breath and a large gulp of cocoa and set about explaining. She told her parents the story of Liam's death and Brennan Jones' betrayal. Both were gobsmacked, struck with disbelief.
Once the tale ended, the three sat in silence for a while, sipping their drinks. A few minutes had passed when Emma decided to text Killian to see if he was okay.
E: You alright, Jones? My parents understand now, they send their love. E.
She sipped her coffee as she waited for a reply. It wasn't long before her phone buzzed.
J: Aye, love, I'm okay now. Thank you for explaining, I still find it hard. K.
Emma smiled at her phone sadly.
E: You coming back soon? Your coffee's getting cold. E.
The reply was almost instantaneous.
J: I'll be just a tick, love. K x.
Emma's heart shuddered as she stared down at the text. He sent a kiss. They'd never sent each other kisses before. Emma felt her stomach clench as her brain shot her back to that horrible day.
"I just..." Her lower lip quivered and she let a single tear fall. "I don't know how to say goodbye." Killian smiled softly, his eyes full of pain.
"Then don't." He wiped her tear away with the pad of his thumb.
He opened his mouth to speak but Emma did something completely unexpected. Something she had never been brave enough to do before.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his face to hers. Her eyes slid closed as she covered his lips with hers.
Killian froze. Emma's heart stuttered as her doubts seemed to be confirmed. But his arms soon wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. Her worries melted away.
He kissed her back, gently but passionately. They both poured years of emotion into the kiss, stories being told as their tongues tangled together.
Red flashed before Emma's closed eyes and she broke away. She had hit a wall.
She leant her forehead against his.
"Swan?" Killian's voice shook her out of her memories and she suddenly noticed he had sat back down next to her. She blinked at him a couple of times before smiling and squeezing his hand.
"Sorry." She said. "I was in a world of my own."
Killian chuckled.
"Your mother is rather tired from her flight so we need to sort out living arrangements."
Damn. They'd forgotten about that key detail. Emma nodded.
"Any ideas?" She asked.
"Well, I was thinking, your parents could take your old apartment-" Killian began but Emma cut him off.
"And I move back in with Ruby and Granny, if they'll have me."
Killian flushed red, glancing at her parents. "I was actually thinking you could stay in the guest room of my flat. I've been meaning to get a roommate and since we work together on weekends..." His voice trailed off.
Emma accepted, she knew that her room at the Lucas' was only temporary and she'd much rather live with Killian than have to find a new apartment or roommate.
Live with Killian. Oh my God.
David clapped his hands together and stood up.
"Well, if that's all sorted..." She offered his hand to Mary Margaret to help her get up. Emma smiled at Killian, grabbing the empty coffee cups and dumping them in the trash.
"Okay, so Jones will drop you guys off at my old apartment." She handed them her key and turned back to her best friend. "Can we go to Ruby's quickly so I can grab all my stuff that's there and I can let her know what's happening?" Killian nodded.
Before she knew it, Emma was walking into the spare bedroom at Killian's with a suitcase. She sat on the bed for a moment, taking it all in. A few days ago, she had been wallowing in Ruby's apartment, eating nothing but pop tarts. Now she had been reunited with her best friend, who she may or may not be gaining feelings for. Her father had woken up and her mother had 'come back from the dead'.
Before she knew it, she had fallen onto her back on the soft mattress, laughing. Tears dripped down her temples as she giggled to herself. Her stomach ached from contracting.
"Swan?" Killian was at the door. "Are you alright, love?"
Emma was still giggling as she pulled open the door and ran into his arms. She hugged him tightly, nodding against his shirt.
"Yeah, I'm good. Reality just hit me that's all." Killian hummed with laughter as his arms snaked across her back, holding her closely. They stayed in their embrace for a while until Killian's phone buzzed.
He pulled away reluctantly, answering the call.
Emma snuck back into her room, straightening the blanket and opening her suitcase. She pulled out her makeup bag and hair utensils, setting them up by the mirror in the corner. She grabbed her toiletries and paced across the apartment to the bathroom.
She popped her shower supplies next to Killian's and placed her red toothbrush in the holder next to his blue one. She smiled at the sight, before remembering the look of hers next to Neal's with a pang. She clutched her heart, tears filling her eyes for a moment.
She grasped the sink, breathing heavily before shaking her head and pulling herself together. He's not Neal, and you're not a thing, Emma. She drew a shaky breath, steadied herself and left the bathroom.
Killian was laughing to whoever was on the phone whilst writing something onto the small calendar her had hanging in the kitchen. Emma hopped onto the barstool by the counter, watching as he hung up the phone.
"Who was that?" She queried, smiling. He grinned down at her.
"My mate, Robin. He's organised a 'lads night' down at the bar, but I know it's going to be a surprise birthday party for me." Her rolled his eyes, smiling.
Emma froze for a second. She had forgotten it was Killian's birthday soon. Crap, she had to get him a present.
"Sounds like fun!" She grinned at him. He hummed happily, nodding.
"You unpacked?" He asked her, opening the fridge to grab two beers. She shook her head as she accepted the bottle from him.
"Not completely, no. I'm... Too lazy right now." She lied. She was actually terrified of the reality of living with a man again. He chuckled and sat down beside her.
"So, food wise, you wanna go out?" Killian asked. Emma pondered for a moment before shaking her head.
"Can we get takeout and watch movies instead?" She asked enthusiastically. Killian agreed and leapt up to grab menus.
Emma felt her heart flutter as he smiled widely at her, flashing his piercing blue eyes at her. She excused herself and raced into her bedroom. Stop it, Emma. She scolded herself. You know not to let love in again.
When recovered, Emma went back into the main space of the apartment. Killian grinned at her again, holding up two menus.
"Chinese or pizza?" He asked joyously. Emma chose the latter and went to Killian's selection of DVDs whilst he ordered. She ran her finger along the backs of the cases. She pulled out three choices and turned around when she heard Killian hang up the phone.
"Peter Pan or Pirates of the Caribbean?" She asked him, hiding the third movie behind her back.
"Neither." Killian had raised an eyebrow at her. "Cause I know you have a film behind your back, and I know it's the Princess Bride." Emma laughed and revealed it.
"You know me too well, Jones. Can we watch it?" She asked, her apple green eyes lighting up.
He nodded. "Aye, love. It's been a while since I last saw it."
"How long?" Emma said, hugging the DVD that she remembered buying him to her chest.
"About eight years. I couldn't bring myself to watch it without you, love." Emma smiled sadly, before turning to the TV and getting the movie set up. She closed her eyes happily as the menu screen appeared, playing the soundtrack that had played almost weekly throughout her childhood.
She turned to look at Killian, who was staring almost sadly at the screen. She stepped to towards him, looping her arm around his waist.
"I haven't watched it in eight years either." He looked down at her in amazement for a second.
"Come on then, Dread Pirate Roberts. Let's watch it." She sank down onto the couch, pulling a blanket over herself.
"As you wish." Killian muttered almost inaudible. He positioned himself next to Emma, who threw some of the blanket over him and pressed play on the remote.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters or OUAT but I seriously wish I did.
Sorry if you haven't seen the Princess Bride cause you won't get the references! But, you should watch it ASAP!