Oh these two :] this was a fun chapter to write and I am VERY excited for what's to come. I hope you are still enjoying it - I truly love reading your thoughts and comments! All rights/characters belong to OUAT. I own nothing!
"So she said no?"
David was smirking at Killian over the contents of a paper coffee cup. The two met for coffee a couple mornings a week - mostly to catch up on the more pleasant things going on in one another's lives. Lately, however, David had made it his personal mission to interrogate his best friend on the progress he'd made with Emma. It was a stupid conversation, one where David kept referring to Killian's pursuits as a secret mission of "Catching the Swan".
"I'd tell you that she did," Killian glared, toying with the lid of his own drink. "But I can't tell if you are asking or laughing."
"Both," David chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "I warned you that Emma is a bit guarded. I can't say I'm surprised."
He'd been pondering ways to get her to go out with him since the moment she'd brushed him off the first time, conjuring all kinds of reasons to attend things he'd usually ditch out just because he might see Emma there. He couldn't remember a time that he'd been this worked up over a woman. Killian wasn't one to be shy about going after what he wanted, but with Emma...well, it was different.
"So that's it, huh?"
"That's what?"
"She said no. Twice," David said, stumbling over a laugh on that last word. "So you're done now, right?"
"To be fair, Dave," he replied, tapping his fingers on the table. "She didn't ever actually say 'no'."
It was actually more like three times if you counted the night they met - and he didn't really like to include that poorly executed attempt.
The second time he'd asked her out had been a weak attempt at a hopeful joke - they'd been teasing back and forth at some summer block party one of David's neighbors was having and Killian had propositioned her in an I-dare-you-to-do-it kind of a way. Her face asked if he was serious before she laughed and shook her head at him, changing the subject to something on the opposite end of that topic.
The nearly embarrassing third time had been yesterday. He ran into her at the same coffee shop where David was currently poking fun at him. She looked amazing per usual - her blonde hair long and blowing in the breeze as she spotted him with recognizing green eyes. He had smiled like an idiot as he walked up to her, trying to make conversation as they both made their way through the line and then out the door to work. He'd unintentionally walked her to her car, biting his lip as she opened the driver's side to leave. It wasn't his fault the words just tumbled out of his mouth. God, he must have sounded like such a ridiculous fool.
"So what exactly did you say?"
"I believe my words were 'would you like to get a cup of coffee sometime' to which she replied 'we just did'."
"Sounds like Emma," David nodded, still grinning like a mad man. "Well, Jones, you win some and you lose some."
It was a dismal thought - putting the idea of dating Emma Swan away. Killian had never met anyone like her before. She was smart and sassy. She kept him in his place and made him laugh with a wit that was unnaturally quick. She made him stumble over his words and his feet like he was an awkward, unpopular teenage boy asking a girl to the prom. Emma was a challenge - and being of the competitive sort, Killian was never one to resist a challenge.
Maybe he hadn't lost just yet.
He left the coffee shop after a few more taunting words from his best friend and as he walked to his truck, he could wonder only one thing - what time exactly did the flower shop open?
Yes. She actually said yes. Killian was convinced he'd woken up from his coma only to land in some alternate universe where Emma Swan actually gave him a chance without turning him down a thousand times first. It was fortunate that he loved a challenge - although it was quite likely that he would have chased her for years. There had always been something about her. From the very beginning, Emma had been different. She'd told him no and for some reason, he'd been mesmerized by that.
But now, sitting in the diner with David as he waited to order lunch, Killian was much more intrigued with the way things seemed to be so completely upside down. He'd lost the memory but won the girl - oh, the irony.
His mind slipped to the notion of acceptance as he wondered how many times and in how many situations he'd received a 'yes' from her. That simple word. How many times had she said it? Whispered it? Screamed it? Whoa. He internally slapped himself hard. Shame on him for even thinking of his wife that way. He laughed a soft sound, shaking his head at his unconventional modesty regarding Emma.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Killian mused as David analyzed him. "Just trying to wrap my mind around the idea of Emma Swan accepting my invitation on the first try. I don't remember her ever saying yes - though obviously she eventually did."
"Yeah, she gave you quite the run of it," David chuckled. "I don't think you ever actually got a 'yes'. I think it was more like a 'fine' or an 'okay'."
"Hmmm," Killian hummed, a curvy smile on his lips. "I get the impression that I was probably okay with either of those, passive aggressive as they may be."
"Yeah I'd say you were," David affirmed. "You also might want to see how 'Emma Jones' sounds - that's her name after all."
Killian's heart stumbled over a few beats at the sound of a switched last name. He'd have to roll that moniker around in his injured head for a while before he'd believe it.
His memory had taken away the months they had spent dating and it twisted his stomach to think of the moments he had lost. He'd have to see if he could do some research on his earlier history of courting Emma. Luckily for him, he just so happened to be having a midday meal with a firsthand witness.
"Okay, Dave," Killian began, crumpling a straw wrapper. "So what did I do to win Emma's heart?"
David smirked wildly, laughing as he rubbed one of his hands over the other. Well, this was probably going to be quite the story.
"Wait - Killian...asked you out on a date?"
Emma dropped her head to the surface of the bar as Ruby set a glass of liquid courage next to her. She raised her eyes to peer at her favorite employee through the glass tumbler, trying to hide from the ridiculousness of the whole situation. She had to pick Liam up in an hour so she wasn't going to drink it, but it was more the routine of it all. She'd slid onto this same stool many times over the last two weeks, not drowning herself in alcohol but rather in her husband and the bar he loved. It seemed only right to have something in front of her as she did so, although she had no intention of ever telling Killian how she'd used some of his high quality alcohol for her brooding.
"Emma," Ruby tried, setting the bottle back on the top shelf. "This is...good, right?"
"Yeah - I mean I guess," Emma replied, dragging her hands through her hair. "I just can't even believe...god, this is nuts, right?"
"A little," Ruby laughed, resting her elbows on the bar. "But I think it's romantic in a way, ya know? It means he's trying. He wants to remember his old life - the one with you."
Emma sighed as she swirled the glass around, staring at the copper color. Killian loved rum - perhaps that's why she'd opted for the spiced bottle on the top shelf. She wondered if he remembered that. They hadn't really hashed out how far back his recall ability stretched. Emma would be lying if she said she didn't want to know, but she also wasn't sure if that was information her heart could withstand.
"So where are you two going?"
"The little Italian place," Emma answered, concealing her tiny smile. "The one by the docks."
"Oh, really?! The place of your actual first date?"
"Yes," Emma blushed, covering her eyes. "I'm sure David's been filling him in all day."
"I bet this whole thing will be pretty interesting for him, Emma. He doesn't remember how you two fell in love so he gets to do it all over again."
Emma pursed her lips at Ruby's insight as she furrowed her eyebrows. She silently set forth a goal that he would experience every little detail the way she once had - and that it wouldn't be too late for him to fall back in love with her. She could only hope that she could do for him what he'd always done for her.
Killian had tried to dress quickly, wanting to give Emma some space so she could do...whatever it was that women did before dates. He wondered momentarily if she was half as nervous as he was. From what he remembered, Emma was confident and suave with the ability to make him stutter incompetently. Yeah, she was probably fine - and he was an anxious mess.
He'd probably been this way the first time around. From what he could remember, he'd asked her out endlessly and to his memory, she had never said yes. Yet here he was - about to go on a first date with Emma Swan...or Jones, his wife. She had always had a way of turning him into a lovesick fool. That surely hadn't changed. Perhaps there were some things that amnesia just couldn't erase.
He brushed his teeth while trying to hook the clasp of his watch - one Emma had apparently purchased for him against his will. He didn't know why he'd been opposed to it. It really was a nice watch. He wondered if perhaps there were other preferences in his life that had changed. Maybe she'd tell him if they had. Killian frowned slightly in the mirror as he pondered all the things he'd trade to have his memories back, even if just for that night.
He checked the time on his wrist, noting that she'd probably be back soon and realizing he needed to hurry. God, if only he could remember where his overly organized self had kept things before. Hunting down anything that even remotely resembled cologne was turning out to be quite the task. He yanked open the medicine cabinet to the left of him, rummaging through a few stray bottles. He found one that looked vaguely familiar, but when he pulled it from the shelf, he heard a sharp clink on the tile floor. He searched the ground near his feet, spying something shiny as he set the bottle back before leaning down to investigate.
He zeroed in on the object - reaching for it and gasping softly when he concluded what it was. It was his wedding ring. His heart sped up as he realized that this was real - there was absolutely no denying that he'd tied the knot with this woman. Thank god. He didn't want to try to reconfigure a world where that wasn't the truth. He was finally getting used to this one...and really, really starting to like it.
Killian held the ring up to examine it skillfully. It was silver with a dull sheen - simple but oh so symbolic. He wished with everything he had that he could recall the moment she'd first slid it onto his left hand. That seemed like a memory neither or them could or should forget. It really irritated him that he had. He peered into the mirror, biting his lip thoughtfully. His ring had been on the shelf of the concealed cabinet, but he wasn't daft enough to believe that's where it was supposed to be. He twirled it in his hand as he mulled over his options. He wanted to wear it. He just didn't know if he should. He didn't want to make Emma uncomfortable and seeing as how this was their first date in this whole new reality, perhaps it wasn't fair to just slip it back onto his finger like nothing had happened.
To hell with it, he thought with a quick shake of his head as he slowly returned it to the hand where it had been for all those years he'd forgotten. He twisted the ring on his finger as he smiled subtly. It amazed him how natural it felt. It was comfortable enough that he once probably forgot it was even there, but now, Killian knew the only thing that could distract him from the matrimonial metal on his hand was the woman who'd given it to him.
Emma had dropped Liam off with Mary Margaret. She'd been all too eager to take him, wanting nothing more than to assist while his parents spent the evening out. Emma was always in awe of how much David's wife was willing to do for her. Mary Margaret was a faithful subscriber to the idea of true love so it made sense that she took such an interest in Killian falling back in love with his forgotten wife.
He'd sent her several texts throughout the day, narrating his actions to her. She smiled in appreciation at the way he seemed to teasingly cooperate with the fact that she hated having him out of her sight. He had promised to be home at six so they could make a seven o'clock reservation. Emma nearly laughed at the way her husband was picking her up from their house for their first date. Absolutely insane, she thought.
She stood in front of the mirror, examining the dark circles that seemed to be fading under her eyes. It was comforting in a sense - she hadn't been getting more sleep since he came home, but it was better sleep. The recent memory of them falling asleep with Liam between them made her heart swell. She had missed that.
She couldn't remember exactly when she'd bought the dress. It was a muted plum color with the bottom of the skirt hitting just under the knee so that it fell into that circular, swishy state. It was still quite wintry out so she opted for tights and a pair of flats. She messed with her hair nervously, shaking it into a tumble of loose curls. She wasn't one for much makeup - Killian usually had a way of making her feel like she didn't need it. She kept it subtle, a little mascara and blush just to add a bit of color.
Just as she was about to exit the bathroom and pace the entire length of the house in an effort to distract herself, she caught a flash of silver just off to the side of the sink. Her wedding ring - she always left it there during the minimal seconds each day when she wasn't wearing it. She paused in the doorway, tapping her fingers on the frame as she analyzed the jewelry a moment. She'd worn it everyday that he'd been gone. It was silver and thin with a classic square cut diamond - nothing special honestly but she had always loved it. Walking back into the bathroom, she lifted it from the counter and it clinked on the porcelain of the sink. Holding it up at eye level, Emma debated the possibilities. If she had it her way, she would slip it right back onto her faithful left hand - that's where it belonged. But she didn't need Killian to have that pressure hanging over his head. He was a very observant man - it wouldn't take long for him to spot such a shiny silver symbol.
Her eyes brightened with a possibility of an idea. She turned the ring over and over through her fingers as she located her jewelry box on top of their dark wood dresser. She flipped the lid up and sifted through a few stray earrings before she found it - a silver chain that was long enough to pull over her head. With swift fingers, Emma threaded the ring through the necklace so it dangled freely on the end. She smiled slightly, spinning the clasp to the back and she pulled the chain over her head. She gazed in the mirror, holding the ring against her chest.
There just wasn't a world where Emma could go back to not wearing that ring - first date or not.
Killian strolled studiously through the stands at the flower shop. David had said lilies. Stargazer lilies. He knew what they were and that they were somehow important - or maybe Emma just liked them. He wasn't exactly sure why, but as he traversed the walkways, he realized quickly that roses were the big thing in February. He frowned as he looked them over - he just didn't think Emma would like those for some reason.
"Killian! It's so good to see you! I heard you were...feeling better."
He turned around to the voice of Belle French. She was the florist's daughter and she'd helped him to woo a date or two in the past. It was unbelievably refreshing to see an actual familiar face.
"Belle. It's sure great to see you. I'm, uh, doing okay," he said cautiously, touching his hand to the tender spot on his scalp. "Hey, I was wondering if you have any-"
"Lilies?"
He stopped and pressed his lips together, nodding slowly. It was like everyone knew about these flowers but him. He tried to ignore the tug at his heart, realizing how his brain had forgotten an important detail regarding the preferences of his wife.
"They're back here," she directed, guiding him to a long row of the wide open blossoms. "You came in just in time. These arrived this morning."
They were beautiful - white and speckled pink with long stems. Yeah, these seemed a little more like something Emma would want. How he could even know something like that was beyond him.
"Emma will love these, Killian," Belle smiled, wrapping them up for him. "I've never seen you go wrong with lilies."
He smiled softly, praying that this time would be no different. He wanted everything to go perfectly. Killian took a bit of pride in the fact that perhaps lilies were the first step.
The step he was currently standing on wasn't the first, but the last - the one just outside their front door. It still amazed him that he'd lived in this house with Emma and their little boy. It was home. Killian had always liked the concept of home.
He stood still for a few minutes with the bunch of flowers clutched in his hand. He was staring at the entrance as his mind raced, imagining the dozen of different things that could happen when he walked through that door. He lived here - was he supposed to knock? He shook the idea from his injured brain and turned the knob hard. The house was dim with only the lamps on in the front room. He noticed a stream of light flowing down the staircase as he assumed she must still be getting ready. God, this was really happening. He cleared his throat and tried to steady his shaking, stupid hands.
"Emma?"
Emma was just adding a few finishing touches she honestly didn't need while attempting a pep talk with her nervous reflection. She wasn't sure what to expect from all of this, but she was some shade of delighted that he'd asked. She loved the way he'd done so - showing up so suddenly and so hopeful. It was endearing to see that man she'd finally fallen for.
"Emma?"
Nearly choking on her breath, Emma froze for a moment. She swore she could hear his heartbeat from the bottom of the stairs. Wait, no - that was hers and it was reverberating through her ears at an unfairly loud decibel. She closed her eyes and slowly let air fill her lungs before staring back at the woman in the mirror. Here we go, she thought as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Killian?"
"Hey," he said in a questioning tone. "I, uh...are you ready? I can wait - if you're not."
"No, no," she replied, musing quietly at the way they were talking from a distance. "I'm good. I'm ready."
"Okay."
The air grew thick and silent as they both seemed to be absorbing whatever this moment was going to be. She paused at the door frame of their bedroom, peeking around the corner to the descending stairs. She moved forward cautiously, smoothing her skirt as she began to walk down to where he was standing.
Oh and dear god was he standing. Killian had always been the most handsome man she knew - rugged and dignified. He was wearing those jeans - the ones she'd been able to confirm were still his favorite - and his faded brown oxford boots. His sweater was one she'd once stolen frequently. It was tan with a folded collar and it hung open despite the large brown buttons it sported. A crisp white t-shirt and the leather and titanium watch she'd bought for him rounded out the entire ensemble. He seemed to be looking to her for approval as his hands rested in his pockets. The adorable look on his face was so innocently attractive and Emma was thankful the low lighting might help hide her furious blushing.
"Hi," she said softly, unsure of how to greet the love of her life.
He seemed to be in a daze as he locked his vision on her. His eyes were a lively blue as she watched him observe her, allowing him to take in her appearance freely. Years ago, she would have told him to stop staring like a creep. Times had sure changed in so many ways.
"It's good to see you," she tried again. "You look great."
"Emma," he said, breathy and unbelieving with a mysterious glint in his eye. "You - you look..."
She smiled widely, trying to not celebrate the fact that this kind of speechless was exactly what she was going for.
Wow. Nothing else was running through his head at that moment other than that word. Emma had always been breathtaking in a million ways, but this - this was so beyond anything he could have dreamed up. She looked so effortlessly put together. The purple of her dress created an intriguing contrast with the lightness of her hair and the pale green of her eyes. The blond tangles were wavy and fell against her shoulders in a way he almost remembered.
She looked at him curiously. God, she was waiting for him to say something. His mind scrambled for words.
"Emma, you - you look...amazing. You look beautiful, love."
Whoa - love? Where had that come from? Killian froze internally as he hoped she hadn't noticed his verbal affection.
"Thank you," she smirked, shrugged slightly. "You're not so bad yourself."
"Yeah - uh, I thought...well, I wasn't sure," he said, gesturing toward his choice of clothes and pulling softly on the fabric. "I hope these are okay."
"You look dashing," she grinned, brushing something off his shoulder. "I forgot you still had this sweater. It looks nice."
Killian smiled, celebrating his small victory. He quickly remembered his recent trip to the floral shop and how that venture had led him to carrying a selection of long stemmed lilies. She seemed to be taken with his gesture, an expression he couldn't quite decipher on her face.
"For you," he declared quietly, holding the flowers out carefully. "I did a bit of investigating on what you might like - which wasn't hard. It seems as if many people in Storybrooke know what flowers Emma Jones likes."
Suddenly, her eyes went wide as a shocked look flew over her features. He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to figure out why her mood had shifted so quickly. Was it something he said? He wasn't sure how he'd managed to say something wrong already. He just got here-
Oh, dear god. This was not the time to be debating last names.
"Emma, I-"
"No, it's okay," she laughed, holding up a nonthreatening hand. "It's...my name."
"It is," he noted, trying not to sound too enthralled. "I just didn't mean-"
"Killian," she interrupted, her eyebrows raised comically. "You don't need to apologize. Not at all."
"Okay. Good to know," he mused, running his teeth across his lower lip and checking her eyes. "Are you ready to go?"
"Absolutely," she grinned, obviously trying to shield her excited anxiety. "Are you?"
He smirked, nodding softly as he eyed her demeanor. This woman had something about her. She still - even when his memory was on hiatus - had the strongest, strangest, most wonderful hold on him. As he handed her the jacket hanging on the hook behind the front door and watched her slide it over her shoulders, he wondered where this night was about to go. As he watched her press her lips together in a sweet smile, he wondered how those same lips had once felt against his skin or maybe even against his own. As the butterflies in his stomach grew and his mouth twitched in this new, interesting way, he wondered what Emma's policy was on kissing on the first date and whether or not he might need to see if she'd adjust her stance on the subject.
