A/N: Hello again! Welcome to chapter 9 of 'When Love Reigns.' Surprise, it's another cute chapter with feels and fluff, where Emma bonds with her family a little more and gets some stolen moments with Killian. Now, some of you are asking yourselves where the heck is my M rating. Patience friend, next week you'll get what you're looking for, but trust me this chapter is cute and lovely and wonderful all the same. It's exactly what I'm needing for this week that just will not end. I hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading!

Dear Diary,

I've been facing a lot of firsts recently and once upon a time all those firsts would have scared me. But now I can't seem to muster up that fear. All I feel is good and hopeful and like everything may actually work out just like I want it to. Yay me!

.

Nothing compared to Boston in the springtime.

As long as she'd been old enough to watch the world around her, Emma had loved this time of year. People were returning to themselves after being squirreled away in hiding all winter. Months of snow and bitter chills (that ended pretty late into what the rest of the world considered spring), gave way to a warmer world over night. Green leaves sprouted on the trees, the flowers in the gardens and lining most of the nicer city streets were back, and people were happy. There were far more smiles than there had been just a few weeks back and Emma was glad for it.

Not that she'd attribute her current good mood to the change in weather. If anything, it was just a nice supplement. Emma's main source of happiness of course came from all the new things in her life. Her father, her grandmother, and of course Killian. All of them brought new promise and excitement to her life, and they were filling a time that should have been stressful, the last handful of weeks left of her college career, with the exact kind of distraction she needed. Emma was finding new places to belong, and new people who loved her and who she loved in return, and it was a pretty magical thing.

To think she almost hadn't had this. She'd almost chickened out, running away from the truth of who she was. If she hadn't been brave and reached out to her grandmother when she did… well Emma couldn't even let herself think that way. She was so incredibly grateful for what she had right now, and couldn't imagine being in the same place she had been before all of this.

"I don't know how you did it, Emma."

Emma looked from where she'd been gazing out the window of the car to her mother who sat beside her. Based on the slightly worried look on her mother's face, Emma could connect the dots to what Mary Margaret meant. She was awed at how Emma had come here that first time, putting herself out there so she could meet her Dad.

It was funny to Emma that in a way they'd been thinking of the same thing. Her mother was just a little farther behind on the journey than Emma was, but Emma was certain she'd find the same sense of peace. First there would be fear and doubt, but eventually, her mom would get beyond that, and today would be the start. They were pulling up even now to her mother's first visit at the embassy, and it should set the tone for how the rest of her transition into David's life would go.

The consulate was a beautiful place, with manicured lawns and beautiful architecture, but more than that it felt stately. For Emma and her Mom, two people who valued things a little freer and a little more lax, there was an element of culture shock. Emma had since assimilated, but as this was her mother's first time coming here, it would take some getting used to. One thing Mary Margaret had that Emma hadn't though was a wildly happy looking David standing out to greet them.

"Someone should really tell David to be more open with his feelings for you. He's just so guarded," Emma's joke pulled a laugh from her mother, and the worry lines had mostly faded thanks to that. Her mom patted Emma's hand before they were let out of the car and greeted by her father.

"You made it," David said brightly.

"Yup, the whole two miles," David pulled Emma into a hug which she eagerly returned, having found an easiness in being affectionate with her Dad. They were slowly moving closer to a sense of normal, and it felt good to do that. When Emma pulled back though, her father kissed her mother gently and took her hand in his.

"Everything's going to be alright. My mother's going to love you." Mary Margaret smirked at that.

"Why do I get the sense you're saying that as much for your benefit as for mine?"

"Ignore him. Grandma's awesome and as soon as she finds out you prefer Earl Grey to green tea you'll have it in the bag." Emma looked from her parents to the doorway to find her grandmother already there with an easy smile.

"I'm not saying it's the defining characteristic of good judgment, but it's largely indicative Emma, and you will do well to remember that." Emma nodded, hugging her grandmother before deciding she should be the one to make the introductions. If she left David to do it, this would be just slightly more awkward.

"Grandma, Mom. Mom, Grandma." Both women extended a hand to each other.

"It's nice to finally meet you in person, Ruth." Emma saw the bit of surprise on the faces of the people around them, but her grandmother only grinned at Mary Margaret's casual slip up.

"You too my dear. We have so much to catch up on, but it's something best done one on one. David, why don't you and Emma go spend some time together while I get acquainted with Mary Margaret?" David looked liable to respond somehow, but Queen Ruth completely ignored him, taking Mary Margaret's arm in hers and moving into the consulate.

"Are you really that scared of what Grandma is going to do?" Emma asked, tearing David's attention back and he shrugged.

"I just don't want to take any chances."

"You're scared Mom's going to run again."

Emma didn't need to ask. The evidence was clear as day on her father's face. Not that she could exactly blame him. The whole reason they hadn't ended up together was a disapproving family member. But her father was missing a critical element – Queen Ruth was never going to disapprove. Hell, Emma was pretty sure she'd see Mary Margaret and David married tomorrow so that she could try and get more grandkids out of them.

"Maybe a little bit." Emma tried to figure out a way to get her Dad in better spirits, and when she saw the 'Keep of the Grass' sign she knew what she had to do. She started directly violating the sign and immediately the audio criticism started.

"Emma?" David sounded concerned and she waved him over.

"Come on. This way's faster, plus you'll get yelled at for a change. How often does that happen when you're King?"

Emma turned back to her path along the grass and around the building. She was in the back gardens in pretty good time, but got the distinct pleasure of hearing the usual commands go on longer than they had when she'd done this before. Her Dad's dallying made for some new languages she'd have to remember to ask Charlotte about.

"We might have to reevaluate that response system. It's not like the grass is a national treasure," Emma swore she heard a gasp from behind the hedgerow, probably from one of the gardeners but she muffled her laugh.

"I don't know, I kind of like it. Plus it's funny to watch people freak out when it goes off." David laughed, and Emma was really glad she'd distracted him from his worry even if just for a minute. Still she felt he could use just a little more reassuring.

"If it helps, I don't think she's going anywhere. We actually kind of made a list last night. Well I made it and Mom added some of her commentary, about places we should take you to in the city. Give you the real Boston experience."

"You did?" The surprise in her father's tone prompted Emma to look back at him.

"Well I can't let my Dad leave Boston knowing nothing about it. What kind of daughter would that make me?" David continued to gape at Emma and she looked at him curiously. "What?"

"That's the first time you've called me Dad," Emma thought back. She hadn't intentionally not called him Dad, or maybe she had. It was hard to tell, but in the moment it didn't feel wrong to call him that.

"Too informal for royalty?" Her Dad shook his head.

"No. Dad's perfect," Emma smiled.

"Good, now let's check out this list." Emma plunked herself down on one of the benches and David did the same, and they spent a good amount of time hashing out the best parts of the city.

There was the requisite game at Fenway, of course, and the Swan boats (which were a favorite for Mary Margaret and Emma for obvious reasons). Emma put Fanueil Hall and the freedom tour on the list too, as well as the aquarium and the whale watches they had right next door. She even included a duck tour because the thought of her Dad or her grandmother on one of those amphibious bus lines was borderline hysterical. She would pay good money to see her Dad with one of those duck whistles they handed out, cruising casually along the street just to have the bus drive into the Charles River. It was always a riot with new people, but an actual King would likely be even more fun.

Her mother's additions were good too, and while some of them were kind of obvious (um, the Museum of Fine Arts for one), there were some great little things Emma forgot. Like Mike's Pastries in the North End and visiting Cambridge Circle. Emma was always getting lost in the bookstores down there and her Mom was obsessed with the street art. They'd definitely find something for her Dad too, Emma was sure of it.

"This all sounds incredible," David said, slinging his arm around Emma's shoulder.

"Thanks." It was all her favorite touristy things this city had to offer, but Emma felt a bit of longing in her gut. This outing with her family would likely be the last time she got to do a lot of this stuff, at least for a while. It wasn't like you could catch a Sox game in Genovia.

"Getting to do all of this with you and with your mother… you might just be giving me my best day ever, Emma."

"I don't know. The day you marry Mom will probably be good to," David's jaw dropped and Emma laughed. "Don't think you're fooling anyone. Everyone knows where this is headed."

"And you're okay with that?" Emma nodded.

"I think you guys have done enough waiting, don't you?"

Her Dad immediately voiced his agreement, but before he could elaborate with a plan or anything of the like, her mother and grandmother were heading out into the garden once more. The two of them were laughing like they were the oldest friends, and Emma was glad to see how right she'd been. Her Dad had no need to worry. All of this was going to turn out well in the end.

"Look! Through some miracle my son has not withered away to nothing in your absence. Thank goodness for you my dear, or your father would have been pacing around somewhere no doubt beside himself." Queen Ruth's knowing smile to Emma spoke volumes.

"I'm not that bad." Everyone remained silent at David's claim. "Okay maybe I'm that bad." He said as he pulled Mary Margaret closer to him.

"I think it's time for a little tea, don't you?" Queen Ruth asked but when her parents were walking towards the table her grandmother held Emma behind. "Go on my dear. I'll make up some excuse for you."

Emma knew immediately what her grandmother was talking about. Always the matchmaker, Queen Ruth was pushing Emma towards Killian. Not that Emma was complaining. She'd been hoping to see him since getting here.

"Do you know where he is?" Ruth nodded.

"My sources tell me he's finishing the last of his work in his quarters. But you didn't hear it from me." Her grandmother dramatically made to seal her lips and throw away the key and Emma laughed, darting back inside before her parents could ask too many questions.

Though she'd never actually been to Killian's rooms here, they were easy enough to find. Well after she asked someone at least. It basically just involved going upstairs and down the hall some, but still Emma was alight with excitement. By the time she actually knocked on his door, Emma was filled with anticipation.

Only a few seconds after she knocked, the door flew open, revealing Killian looking just as attractive as ever if a little more relaxed. He was dressed formally, but some of his buttons had been undone and his hair was a little rumpled, as if he'd just run his hair through it.

"Emma!" She smiled at his response, stepping forward to kiss him lightly.

"Were you expecting someone else?" Emma asked teasingly and Killian basically growled before pulling her into his room and closing the door behind them.

"Hardly, I just didn't realize you were here. I've been sucked into all of this for a while and I guess I lost track of time," Emma looked over to the side table in this front sitting room of his quarters and saw that most of his research was on helping kids, both in Genovia and beyond.

"Making any progress?" Emma asked and Killian smiled.

"I was, but I think we can safely say that's on hold for now, love." His hands ran over her reverently, pulling her closer and Emma felt her heart skip a beat at the way he looked at her, like she was everything to him and the best surprise in the world.

"I think we've got about fifteen minutes before my whereabouts get called into question by my parents downstairs." Killian grinned.

"Well we should probably make the most of it, then."

Killian pulled her back through the suite and into what was his actual bedroom, and Emma took a look around, finding that the space was bare save for a few items. There were a couple of pictures, including one that Emma had taken of them on their first date and a single rose from the gardens. In a pretty barren room, she was well represented, and the thought made Emma happy.

"I don't think fifteen minutes is enough time for everything we both want, Killian." Emma said and he nodded.

"Aye, love. But I like seeing you here. Another memory for when I can't be by your side as I may wish."

Emma ran her hand against his cheek before pulling him in for a kiss. She led him back over to the bed, giggling lightly when they fell over onto it and let herself get lost in the kisses for a while. She wanted him so badly, wanted to take this thing between them further more than she could say, but it couldn't happen. At least not today. Definitely not here, with her parents and nosey grandmother just downstairs.

Killian seemed to understand their predicament too, and when he pulled back, his hand moved through her hair, fingers running smoothly through the golden strands.

"Get what you wanted?" Emma asked.

"I got what I can have for now, love." Emma shivered at the implication that it wouldn't always be this way.

"It's not really fair you know."

"What isn't?" Emma ran her hand across his chest.

"You get to think of me here, but I don't have memories of you in my bedroom." Emma saw Killian swallow harshly at her words. She was affecting him and it made her feel powerful and sexy.

"That is a shame indeed love. One we should remedy immediately." The gruffness in his voice made Emma's whole body hum.

"This weekend? I think I could probably get the detail to get lost with enough begging." Killian's blue eyes were ablaze at that, but he nodded and Emma kissed him lightly once more before untangling herself and hopping off the bed. He followed her without a second's delay back into the sitting room before he took her hand and turned her around so she was flush against his chest.

"Thank you, Emma."

"For what?" Emma asked, the breathiness in her voice apparent even to her.

"For being exactly who you are and choosing me all the same." Emma smiled.

"You're easy to choose."

Emma nearly said he was easy to love, too, but it hardly seemed like the right moment. She wanted to say 'I love you' the first time when they had a chance to savor it. This weekend maybe, but when she pressed one last kiss to his lips, Emma hoped Killian understood that even if she didn't say the words, she still felt all of this between them.

"Try not to miss me too much," Emma teased and Killian groaned as she slipped out of his room, taking just a second to lean against the outside of his door. They just had to get to this weekend, and when they did Emma was going to be damn sure they had a whole night to themselves, uninterrupted. And until then, the promise of that moment would just have to be enough.

….

Over the past week, or in essence since David had met Emma, the entire royal family and the consulate full of diplomats had been avoiding one pretty critical topic of conversation – a King and the dowager Queen could not spend months on end in New York City while their country was across the sea. But throughout the trip thus far, Killian had yet to hear one word addressing that truth.

Everyone seemed happy to pretend that things were different, but the reality was that Emma still had nearly six weeks left of school, and while David could maybe swing a three week stay outside of Genovia (and only if things remained incredibly dull in the country as a whole), that still left three weeks of impending separation.

For Killian this was incredibly distressing. He was in love with Emma, and it had all happened in such a short window of time, but already he was too attached to her to think that they'd have such a long time apart. Killian assumed it would be apart anyway, considering his entire job involved being close to David. But he had a choice to make, he could either spend the time he did have left with Emma sulking about an impending separation, or he could make the most of it, stealing away more moments with her and making memories that would entice her to still want him when the time came for him to leave.

"Killian?" David's voice brought Killian's attention back to the scene before them and he scratched behind his ear uneasily, caught as he was in blatantly not paying attention. "What do you think I should do?"

Killian wracked his brain for a moment about what had just been unfolding around him. The call they'd all just ended was with the head of the parliamentary houses about pear production of all things, and yes Killian knew that Genovia was known for the fruit, but it had been a little alarming to hear grown men arguing as they were from thousands of miles away. Wars had been started with less hostility.

"Anything that inconveniences Viscount Mabrey."

David laughed and Killian was glad to have given his King some comfort but then he considered what he actually knew about the standoff and replied with his feelings. They should do whatever was in the interest of the people, and not the heads of pear businesses looking to line their pockets. David agreed, and put out word on his stance to the alternate party only to then sit back down in his seat looking slightly defeated.

Killian shot a glance to the clock on the mantel, seeing it was barely noon and bit back a groan. This was turning into an incredibly long week away from Emma. Every day was dragging, and even the calls and texts they shared throughout the day weren't enough to hold him over. Yet what choice did he have?

"I've been King nearly twenty years, and I have to say I've never found it quite so difficult to put in the work as I do now." Killian nodded, understanding David's preoccupation. It must be very difficult to put his duty to his country over pursuing more time with the family he'd lost and was only just finding again.

"Queen Ruth would say that's because family always trumps crown." Killian had heard her say that more times than he could count, even when their family had been just the Queen and King David and Liam and Killian as honorary members. David smiled thoughtfully.

"She would wouldn't she? And she makes a good point. Charles, cancel my meetings for the rest of the day." David tossed the request out cavalierly to his assistant.

"Yes, Your Grace," Killian raised a brow at David who just smiled.

"The real world will come back soon enough, but at least for today I can have what I really want. I'm sure you'll find something to do with yourself." David patted Killian's shoulder as he walked out of the room and Killian felt a bit of excitement for the first time all day. If he had the day free that meant he could do what he most wanted – find Emma and make his own moment.

Only when Killian was out of the room and back in the hall did he realize that perhaps that was David's plan, and if the King was going to see his daughter, it would hardly be conducive to seeing Emma himself. David's claim to Emma would always trump Killian's though, and he would never in a million years seek to hinder their connecting as a father and a daughter. If only Killian could know for sure.

"He's going to see Mary Margaret. Doesn't want to interrupt Emma's studies." Liam barely spared his brother a glance as he said the words while walking passed Killian. He likely should have felt embarrassed for the transparency of his thoughts, but hell if Killian cared. He had his answer and now he would act.

Getting to Emma wasn't the problem, for one of the consulate's cars was collected immediately and with little problem thanks to Liam, but finding her once at her school, well that was another thing entirely. It required a bit of creativity, for though he knew what class she had today, Killian had no idea where it was. So, as a means to an end, he randomly joined one of the passing prospective-student tours and asked an unsuspecting tour guide. Though surprised by the question, the girl gave him his answer and Killian was off, slightly more confident he could find Emma now.

Upon locating her building and the lecture hall in question, Killian peered in through the doorway of the auditorium and searched the crowd of students sitting in on the class. Yet he didn't see Emma anywhere in the sea of faces. Killian felt his hope begin to lag. Perhaps he'd missed her or gotten the class wrong. He should have texted her, it was stupid to try and surprise her this way.

"Well hello there stranger!" The address from beside Killian made him jump but he turned to see it was Ruby, grinning at him and his reaction.

"Ruby," Killian said, trying to get his heart rate back to normal as he looked back to see if by some chance he'd missed Emma amongst the others.

"She's not in there. Emma's playing the rebel today. Cutting class, you know the drill." Killian looked back to Ruby, rather surprised. Emma was skipping a class?

"You're kidding," Ruby shook her head.

"And do you want to know what kind of grand adventure she's going on with all that free time?"

"It would be rather helpful, yes." Ruby chuckled.

"She's studying for another class that's not pass/fail like that one. She's kind of terrible at the playing hooky thing to be honest, but hey, we love her anyway right." Killian smiled, liking that Ruby was direct as ever. Besides, he had no reason to hide his true feelings from Emma's best friend.

"Aye. Any idea where she might be studying?" Ruby nodded.

"The library. Third floor, all the way down in the spot by the big windows and the willow tree painting. Can't miss it." With that, Ruby turned around and said goodbye before disappearing into her own plans for the day. She was a character, that one, but Killian couldn't say he minded. People like Ruby kept life interesting.

The walk to the library was a short one, but by the time he'd made it to the third floor Killian was anxious to see Emma. Their brief moments would never be enough, but they were something and even a glimpse of her and a short hello might be enough to hold him over until the weekend.

Just as Ruby had proclaimed, Killian found Emma perched in a big chair with a table before her covered in books and papers and study materials. She was beautiful, sitting there with her hair up in a messy bun and the end of her pencil tapping at her lip. Engrossed as she appeared, Killian felt a little guilty for disturbing her, but it didn't outweigh his longing to see her face when she realized he was here. He moved quietly until sitting himself down in the chair across from her.

Emma flicked her eyes up in that casual way one would when presented with a new person in the general vicinity, but it took a moment for her to realize it was him. When she did though, her green eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Killian!" Too late Emma covered her mouth, but not before the other students and staff in the area threw glances her way. One girl even went so far as to actively shush her.

"Surprised to see me, love?" Emma nodded, staring at him up and down and Killian felt the heat from her gaze. The next thing he knew she was packing up all her things in her bag. "Emma I didn't mean to interrupt you -,"

Emma took Killian's hand in hers after slinging her bag over her shoulder, and he rose back up to his feet. She pressed a chaste kiss to his lips and smiled.

"I am going to ace that test. All you're doing is saving me from spending more of my time immersed in obscure Russian literature. Trust me, you're doing me a favor." Killian smiled, running his thumb along her skin.

"Alright then, love."

"How are you here, by the way? Don't you, I don't know, work for a foreign monarch in a kind of important position?" Killian grinned, loving her never-ending wit.

"Aye, Swan, I do. But when said diplomat has rekindled a lost love connection, it makes for a bit more free time on my part." Emma's responding smile pulled at Killian's heartstrings.

"He went to go see Mom didn't he?" Killian nodded. "And you came to see me."

"Yes," Emma looked truly happy at his gesture, and Killian wished he could see her always this delighted. Helping put that smile on Emma's face felt like the most meaningful thing he'd ever done.

"I want to show you something." Where Killian expected Emma to lead him out of the library, she only led him up two more flights of stairs to a largely deserted fifth floor.

"Before you ask me, I'm not planning to lull you to sleep with A Theory of Post-Colonial Architecture," Emma said as they walked by a book with that title. Killian laughed but then Emma was dropping her bag and pulling him close, kissing him in a far less controlled way than she had when he'd found her earlier. Killian allowed himself a few moments to lose himself in Emma before eventually pulling back and pressing his forehead against hers.

"Much as I might like your intentions, Emma. Aren't we liable to get in trouble up here?" Emma shook her head.

"No one ever comes up to this floor, and it's kind of understood that this is… well you know." Killian watched as Emma blushed a little bit.

"Ah. So you've brought me to an established make out spot. Know this place well, do you love?" Killian only meant it as a joke and Emma rolled her eyes, clearly understanding it was meant in jest.

"I know of it, but I've never been here. In case you missed it, I don't exactly make a habit of this." Emma motioned between them with her hand and Killian took it gently in his.

"And what exactly is this, Emma?" She smirked at him.

"Why don't you tell me?" Killian was all too thrilled to do so, slipping in his opinions as he ran his other hand along her body and pressed kisses to her lips, her cheek, her neck.

"I think it's us still getting to know each other, finding our moments and taking them as they come. It's the best feeling every day when I hear from you or hold you in my arms and I know from your smile you feel the same. In truth, it's the start of the realest happiness I've ever known. But mostly, this is us falling in love, Emma. This is us taking the risk because we believe it's worth it."

"You make it all sound so romantic," Emma said, her whisper a gentle caress on his skin.

"Isn't it?" Emma nodded.

"Yes, but when my hot, charming boyfriend says romantic things it makes me want more." Killian took her meaning now, feeling the heat flare low in his belly at how eager Emma was for that step between them.

"I'm going to give you everything, love. We'll have everything, it's all just a matter of time." Emma looked up to him through thick lashes.

"You promise?"

"I promise," Emma smiled, pulling his hand as she grabbed her bag again. "Fancy another change in location, love?"

"Well this is a big campus, and there's more than one place like this around if you catch my drift." Killian grinned in response, thrilled to be the man who got to share these places with Emma, and hopeful that she would carry him with her all along this campus just as he carried the memory of her through every step of every single day.

Post-Note: Clearly this chapter was mostly done for the sake of fluff, but hey, that's what my stories are all about right? Anyway, I'm thinking that there will definitely be a time jump at some point, because I do want to get to the point where Emma is in Genovia trying to decide on her future, but for now, this is where the story seems to be taking me. I hope you guys enjoyed this bit of CS cuteness and that you all have a good rest of your days!