Chapter 8: Pretty in Pink, part one

For the next two weeks Emma's feelings about going on a date with Killian changed almost daily. She went as far as tying of a lame excuse in a text message, but by the end of typing it had changed her mind once again. She wasn't exactly sure why she felt so panicked over the prospect of this one simple date. Probably because deep down she knew that it wasn't just one simple date. One date could lead to two which could lead to a relationship. And what if it was a total disaster, and even worse what if it wasn't a total disaster. What if he fell in love? What if she did and he didn't reciprocate the feelings? These thoughts plagued Emma until the day of the date.

The few hours preceding the date had passed in a whirlwind of makeup, dresses, and hairspray. By the end of it Emma found herself wearing a ballerina pink dress that she thought made her look like a housewife from the 50's, a high pony tail, more makeup on her face than she could ever remember wearing, and Ruby and Mary Margaret high fiving over what they were calling their "masterpiece." They had somehow, as if by magic, covered up the slight scar that now adorned her forehead thanks to the accident.

Emma looked in the mirror and frowned at the bright pink lipstick that was on her lips. It was too much, before Ruby could stop her she grabbed a tissue and began wiping it off.

"Emma no!" Ruby protested but it was too late.

"It's too much Ruby," Emma responded as she put plain Chap Stick on her lips, "I would like to look like myself."

"You do look like yourself," Ruby said, "just a very girly version of yourself."

Mary Margaret joined in the conversation, "You look great Emma."

Emma smiled at her friends, "Thanks guys. I'm hopeless at this girly stuff."

They both laughed. "We know," Ruby said with a smile on her face.

"What do you think Killian will think?" Emma asked her friends finally letting her insecurities be voiced.

"He will love it," Ruby said, "and if he doesn't you can always punch him. We know you have a killer left hook."

Emma threw the tissue she was holding at her friend, "That was one time," she exclaimed, "plus he tried to stick his hands up my shirt!" Mary Margaret and Ruby just laughed.

She thought back to the moment Ruby was referring to and laughed along with them. It had been one of the more catastrophic dates she had ever been on. It was a guy Ruby had set her up on a blind date with last summer, he had taken her to a really shady bar then tried to grope her leading to him leaving with a black eye and her with an aching fist.

"You really could write a book about your dating mishaps," Mary Margaret said.

"Yeah," Ruby chimed in, "you could call it A Series of Unfortunate Events." This made both Ruby and Mary Margaret howl with laughter.

"I forgot that you two were comedians," Emma said rolling her eyes, "plus I think that name is already taken, thanks."

"Well," Ruby began, "we should probably go."

Mary Margaret pulled her into a tight hug, "Have fun. Call me as soon as you get home."

"I will," Emma said reassuringly.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Ruby joked.

Emma smiled and began herding them out the door, "Trust me I won't, now go."

One they left and Emma found herself quite alone the feeling of regret and panic returned. It was too late now, she told herself, no turning back.


Killian was nervous. Actually more than nervous, he was downright terrified. Other than Milah, he had never felt this way about another woman before. On one hand he already cared for Emma immensely, and on the other hand he was terrified about what these feelings meant. Did caring about Emma mean he was over Milah? And being over Milah really set in stone the fact that she was gone and that she was never coming back to him. It was almost too much to handle.

He had thought about canceling the date more than once over the course of the past two weeks since he had seen Emma. He was only stopped due to words Liam had been putting into his head more and more frequently, that Milah would have wanted him to be happy. And Emma definitely made him happy.

He threw on his black leather jacket, before giving one last glance in the mirror. His facial hair had grown into somewhat of a beard over these past few weeks, and he actually preferred it that way. Overall he thought that he looked pretty handsome, he hoped that Emma would agree.

He could remember the last time he felt this way before a date. He usually only concerned himself with ways that the date would end up back in his bedroom, and now he was concerned with whether or not Emma would enjoy herself and not regret the whole thing.

A short twenty minutes later Killian found himself standing outside of Emma's apartment door with a shiny, brass number 3 on it that seemed to be the cleanest thing in the shabby looking hallway. It took him a few moments to build up the courage to knock.

He took a deep breath and rapped on the door three times, when Emma opened the door he felt all of the breath leave his body. She looked incredible, like something out of a dream.

Before even saying a hello he muttered, "You look stunning, Emma."

Emma smiled and looked him up and down, "You look…"

He smirked when she couldn't find the words to say, "I know."

This made Emma laugh, "Don't be cocky," she held the door open a little wider and motioned for him to come in. "I just have to grab my purse," she said disappearing into the apartment and down the little hall.

He stepped in and closed the door behind him and took in his surroundings. While the outside had looked rather old and shabby the inside of Emma's living room could only be considered one thing, comfortable. The living room was decorated in warm shades of red, pinks, and yellows, and the white, plush looking couch was filled with multicolored pillows and a soft throw. Two large book shelved lined the walls and looked like they were about to burst. He ran his finger over the spine of some of the books, it contained many classics like Robinson Crusoe and Frankenstein and more cookbooks than he had ever seen.

Emma emerged from what he was assumed was a bedroom a few minutes later, she had slipped on a black pea coat and olive green colored mittens. "Well let's go," she said in a slightly forced cheerful voice.

"After you," Killian said opening the door for her and following her out into the dark and chilly night.

Killian had planned on taking her to a small, Italian restaurant called De Luca's, which he and his brother Liam loved to frequent. It was where Liam had taken Claire on their first date, and where he had proposed to her two years later. He hoped that it might give him a little luck to bring her there.

Over the past few years, he and Liam had become close with the owners Carlo and Maria and their two sons Stefano and Marco, who sometimes played hockey with Killian and his friends. They had become something of a second family to him.

They did him a favor tonight and had cleared the restaurant so Killian and Emma would have the place to themselves and a better opportunity to get to know one another. He was very hopeful with what the evening would entail.

Author's note: Part two of this will be up tomorrow evening! Thanks so much for reading!