1777 words this chapter

Chapter Eight, Conclusion

The church service was lovely. Emma was surprised how much she enjoyed it. The preacher spoke of forgiveness, peace, and hope. She sat beside her son and smiled. She felt killian's arm around her. She was content and happy.

After church they went to the town hall where the parade would begin.

Regina was in full-on leader mode. She sighed. "Well, we managed to get the floats here without killing anyone or damaging property." She glared at Mary-Margaret. "It would have been easier to start at the school, where the floats were built."

Mary-Margaret was too happy to let Regina bring her down. "This is better. We gather the crowd here, then move through the town to the school where we have the egg hunt."

Regina grimaced. "I hope you were careful hiding eggs. I don't want to hear about damage to the flower beds or the precious sports' turf."

Killian and Emma looked away quickly.

Mary-Margaret smiled. "Don't worry. We had no trouble," she said sweetly. She pushed Killian and Emma away as Dave laughed.

"I'm missing something,"' muttered Regina.

They boarded the floats. Regina rode her float, leading the parade. She waved and tossed candy to the crowd along the sides of the street. About twelve kids sat around the rabbit of honor, perched on his throne.

The Easter Bunny waved and tossed candy. He seemed a trifle grumpy at times, but occasionally he smiled and traded a grin with Mrs. Easter Bunny.

Killian and Emma stood on their float, waiting to set sail. "Astrid the young nun shines in her rabbit costume," observed Killian. "Leroy however is miscast."

Emma chuckled. "First he was Santa, now the Easter Bunny. I think he secretly likes it."

"Indeed."

Slowly, the floats and other entries set out one at a time.

Mary-Margaret, Ashley, Aurora, and other mothers sat on a garden-themed float with their babies and toddlers in their arms. The kids were dressed as all kinds of fruit, vegetables and flowers. Neal was an adorable green bean.

Belle rode a book-themed float, with large pictures displayed of Peter Rabbit, Peter Cottontail, the Ugly Duckling, and other spring stories. She waved and threw candy. Her hubby, Gold sat proudly behind her, occasionally giving a guarded smile.

Behind them came Robin and David leading a group of ten horses. The archer rode a brilliant white horse whose mane blew in the light breeze while the sheriff rode beside him on a tall stately black one. Behind them were Roland and Henry. The author was atop a golden brown horse beside Roland's brown and white spotted Shetland pony. Little John guided the pony and occasionally steadied the little rider. Behind walked some '"volunteers" Regina had found to clean up after the horses.

A large space was left empty between the horses and the final two parade offerings. The band from the high school marched and played Spring themed songs.

Then came the grand finale, Emma stood proudly beside her handsome Captain. She smiled and waved and looked up at him with love.

He blushed when she gave him that smile. He waved at the crowd and used his hook to fling the contents of a large Easter basket over the children. They clapped and screamed and jumped for joy. The captain liked the displays of appreciation very much.

"Your parade is a hit," Emma told him.

He looked at her. She was fresh and captivating in her spring green dress. She had her hair braided down her back, underneath her Easter bonnet. It was a wide brimmed hat, but not overly large. It retained its natural tan color but was wrapped around the brim with a wide green ribbon that complimented her dress. A small spray of miniature rainbow tulips decorated the front.

She beamed with beauty. "I like my hat."

He grinned. "I am glad."

She nodded. "I like yours too," she said with a laugh.

He laughed beneath his naval-like hat made from newspaper. It was painted black and sported a single middlemist flower. "I thought it suited the occasion."

"It does."

They rode along the streets, in the unconventional Easter pirate ship, which everyone but Regina admitted was the favorite. They had so many kids wanting to ride that they had to limit the number due to space. Still, it was cram-packed. Kids ran after the Bunny Roger, shouting "Arr!"

The parade ended at the school and after a few minutes to get order, the egg hunts began. Henry, Daisy and other older kids helped the very young find the eggs in the playground. Roland and same age children ran and giggled as they hunted for the ones Mary-Margaret had hidden. The merry men were on hand to help.

The eight to ten year-olds searched for David's eggs under his supervision.

Finally the ten to twelve year olds ran all over the field finding the eggs Emma had magically hidden. The ones in the flower beds took the longest to discover. Hook lamented his abandoned buried eggs until he heard several boys saying that next year they should hide the eggs like pirates.

He looked at Emma with an 'I-told-you so-look.' She wasn't swayed.

After the egg hunt the Charming-Mills extended family gathered together at David and Mary-Margaret's for dinner.

Roland, Henry and Daisy sat at one end, with Regina and Robin and a few of the merry men. Emma and Killian were in the middle, flirting and kissing. Mary-Margaret and Dave rounded out the large table feeding Neal at the other end.

There were no disasters, no arguments, not even food flinging. Easter was a success. After spending the day at the loft, Henry decided to spend the night with Regina and the Loxley clan and Killian and Emma returned to their home.

Inside the house, Killian turned to Emma. "We are at long last, alone."

She smirked. "We are," she said, caressing his thigh. She licked her lip, then leaned toward him and kissed him. He picked her up and carried her upstairs.

He set her on the bed. She smirked at him. "I'll be just one moment," she whispered. He nodded. She left the room and he retrieved a hidden, large green box.

She came back with an equally large, light blue one.

They exchanged them, smirking at each other.

She smiled, her eyes on him as she opened the box. She took the yellow nightie out, blushing. "It's beautiful," she said.

"Continue to inspect the treasure trove, Love."

She laughed and went back into the box, bringing out a plastic chicken beak and some cute, cuddly chicken slippers. "So, it's not just a simple nightgown, huh?"

"Indeed, not, MIss Swan Chicken."

She laughed loudly. "Oh, I'm a chicken, am I?"

"An incredibly sexy one, to be sure," he replied, licking his lips.

"Wait. There's more in the box," she said. She laughed as she took out a small pile of yellow feathers. "I think the costume is molting."

"Very amusing."

"I don't get it, Killian. What do I do with these?"

He licked his lips and smiled at her. He took one feather and stuck it to the chest of the babydoll. "You attach them. I peel them off." He waved his jumping eyebrow at her.

She laughed. "Nice, a chicken-inspired strip tease."

"The Captain likes the strip tease, Swan."

She giggled, remembering Valentine's Day and part of her present to him. 'Yeah, I know. Do you have the 'Chicken Dance' song ready?"

"I am not familiar with that melody, Love," he said, totally missing her joke about the silly song. "I will hum something devilishly naughty, if you wish. Now, if you would be so good as to transform into my spicy poultry lass."

"Not yet, open your box first."

"As you wish," he said, with an eager, happy smile. Once the lid came off and he peered inside, the smile fell. He stared at the contents, then at her. His eyes narrowed. "You have gone too far, Wench."

She laughed. "What? You can rock any look."

"This is not funny!"

"Oh, come on, Killian. Be a sexy Easter Bunny."

He dumped the enormous, ridiculously fluffy, white rabbit suit onto the bed. "There is nothing even slightly sexy about that monstrosity!" He crossed his arms. "You have accomplished the impossible, Love. You have killed the mood."

She laughed. "Oh, really?" she asked, slipping off her Easter dress. He watched her peel off her underclothes and slip the yellow babydoll on. She smirked as she strapped the beak onto her nose. She wiggled towards him. "Are you sure?" She smiled coyly as she stuck feathers on her body, smirking as she hit some delicate areas

He watched her, glued to each and every movement. He sighed. "I am nearly,, almost, quite, perhaps...sure."

She laughed and kissed him, smushing the plastic beak. "You could make the bunny suit sexy, KIllian," she purred.

He cocked his head to the side. "I could...I simply do not wish to do so."

She laughed harder and pulled the box towards her. "You didn't follow your own advice and search your treasure trove enough."

He raised an eyebrow. "I did not?"

She shook her head and handed him the box. He pulled the green tissue paper out, then looked up with a grin. He took the tiny bikinis out. "Now this is more suitable for my obvious natural sexiness."

She giggled. He slowly undressed, making her heart beat faster. He slipped the bikinis on and she strapped the bunny ears onto his head. "There's my Captain Sexy Bunny."

He chuckled and gave her a little salute. "At your service, MIss Swan Chicken." They laughed together, then he pounced, quickly but carefully pushing her onto the bed. They kissed and fondled. Several chicken feathers were soon discarded onto the bed and floor.

They were getting heated until Emma pushed back.

"What's wrong?" he asked in concern.

"Nothing," she said with a reassuring smile. ""You just have an egg hunt to do." He laughed and lunged at her but she pushed him away. "No, Killian. I'm serious."

He stared at her. "Love, it is a bloody inconvenient time," he said, lust in his eyes. "Besides, it is dark outside."

She leaned down. "The hunt isn't outside." She smiled wickedly. "There is an egg, in the form of a flavored tattoo, somewhere on my body."

His mouth dropped open.

"Find it and you get to lick it off," she whispered, smirking as she lay back. "Happy hunting."

He smiled. "Oh, I love you so much, Miss Swan Chicken."

She giggled. "Me too, Captain Sexy Bunny."

The End