1451 words this chapter
Conclusion: Chapter Nine
Emma woke in the Captain's bed, alone. "Again? He seriously needs to stop sneaking out on me," she mumbled. She changed her clothes and went looking for her pirate.
She heard him as soon as she stepped on deck.
"I cannot comply. I am sorry," he was saying.
"Please!" cried about ten young voices. She followed their sound to the side of the ship. She saw Killian in the middle of a small swamp of little kids.
"The party has concluded. The Bouncy Roger has set sail."
"Aw, Come on, Uncle Killian," pleaded Roland. "We're bored!"
Emma saw Belle with Astrid, and several other nuns. All of them laughed and smiled at the sight.
"Please?" begged Roland again.
"We have nothing to do," said one little girl. "Mommy and Daddy are asleep."
"Daddy and Regina too," said Roland, his little eyes oozing sadness.
Emma laughed. They were putting it on thick. She imagined that her Captain was done for.
"Hmm, it would seem I did not plan well for this morning, did I?" he asked them. They shook their heads.
"Bouncy Roger!" they cried. "Bouncy Roger!"
He looked at the flat remains of the play ship. "I believe my first mate stepped on this large button, like so." The Bouncy Roger roared to life as it inflated.
The kids screamed with joy.
"Alas, the plank is out of commission."
"Boo!"
"I am sorry, but I had the help of a very special species of Swan. I cannot make the plank alone."
"Go get Emma!" cried Roland.
Killian shook his head. "Lad, I will not disturb the beauty rest of my love, not even for you."
Emma giggled. She closed her eyes. She felt the magic and heard the gasps and happy shouts of the children as she reconnected the plank and tunnel.
"Yay!" screamed a dozen small voices. Emma heard the flurry of steps as the Jolly Roger was raided.
"Oy! I did not give you permission to board!" cried the Captain, running after them. "This is mutiny!"
The kids laughed and giggled and ignored him.
Emma stood in their way. "Slow down and line up," she said. The kids obeyed. She laughed and helped Roland onto the plank.
Killian joined her. "Good morning, My love," Killian said as he greeted her with a kiss.
"You deserted me, Pirate."
"I am sorry, but I had breakfast to arrange. The little ones were up quite early," he said. They stood side by side, watching the children play.
Belle and Astrid came on board. "We'll watch them," Belle said.
Astrid nodded. "You and Emma get breakfast," she told the Captain then she looked at Emma. "He could have eaten with us, but he refused. He wanted to wait for you."
Killian blushed as Emma grabbed and hugged him. "Aw, then you're forgiven for leaving me earlier."
He laughed and walked with her to the parking lot where breakfast was served. Coffee was in heavy demand, and most guests were only having that, but some had appetites. Other guests had actually gone home, having chosen not to drink. They returned for the complimentary breakfast.
Regina sat next to Mary-Margaret. She had sunglasses on and was holding an ice pack to her head. Robin and David moaned and sipped coffee. Only Mary-Margaret looked coherent, happily munching on French toast.
"Emma!" she cried.
"Ow! Watch the noise, Sweetheart," snapped Dave, grabbing his head.
"Scream like that again and I'll wave you into oblivion," said Regina.
"Ooh, you guys are grumpy," chirped Mary-Margaret.
Emma and Killian, holding hands, greeted them. "Ah, you three look like you enjoyed the festivities," said the Captain.
"You look sick," Emma told them.
"Like I said, Love, they enjoyed themselves."
"Sh!" moaned Robin.
"Turtles, I'll turn you all into turtles," Regina said shakily. "They don't make much noise."
Mary-Margaret laughed. "You have done a splendid job, Killian," she said. "Breakfast is delicious! Eggs, sausage, gravy and biscuits, bacon, deep fried hashbrowns, egg sandwiches dripping with cheese…"
Robin made a gagging noise and ran for the Port-o-Potty.
"Mary-Margaret, I love you with my heart and soul," said David, "but for the love of heaven, please shut up."
She just chuckled.
"I'll get you some aspirin, Dad," said Emma.
"He's had four already."
Emma made a sympathetic face. "Come on," she whispered to Killian. "Let's get some food."
"Just don't describe it," said Dave. "I don't feel like joining Robin."
They were about to leave when Leroy brushed past. He didn't look at Hook. He sat down, roughly pushing David.
"Ugh, careful," Dave scolded him. He looked at the heaping plate of bacon in front of Leroy and grabbed his mouth. "Could you move...a little further away, please?"
Leroy grumbled and didn't move.
"How are you even walking?" asked Regina. "By the time we joined you guys last night you were so toasted you were singing sea shanties. Badly."
Leroy growled. "I was not."
"You were too," said Emma, with a grin.
Leroy glared at her, grease dripping from his lips.
David turned green. "You're inhuman," he said.
Leroy shrugged.
"How fair you this morning, Leroy?" asked the Captain. "You seemed to be enjoying yourself last night. I hope you did not overdo it."
Leroy mumbled but kept eating.
"Admit it," said Emma. "Killian threw a good party. You enjoyed yourself."
"Do you mind? I'm eating," snarled the dwarf.
Emma moved toward him, but Killian chucked and shook his head. "Forget it, Love. Let us get some refreshments." He gently pulled her along.
"But he's being a jerk!" She glared backward at the dwarf. "He had a freaking good time!"
"Noise!" moaned Regina, massaging her temples. "Rabbits. They're really quiet. No, I don't want a bunch of rabbits. They're...frisky."
Emma and Killian browsed the food. To her surprise, Emma found Henry stocking up on donuts. "Haven't you had enough of that kind of stuff?"
He shook his head and shoved one in his mouth. He then walked over and sat on Dave's other side. The aroma of the fresh donuts must have been too much, because David ran for the Port-o-Potties.
Killian laughed. "Yes, indeed, a very successful celebration."
Several days later, everyone had recovered from the Captain's big bash. Life had returned to normal, for Storybrooke.
Emma and Killian walked to the diner for lunch.
Several kids ran past. They stopped and gave the Captain little salutes. He laughed and saluted back. They giggled, shouted "Argh!" at him and ran off.
"You're their hero," Emma said with a fond smile.
"They are good little mateys," he said, watching them play and laugh.
After a few more moments they moved on, reaching Granny's. They walked in. Several people shouted KIllian's name. He looked to see big smiles and nods of affection. Emma beamed.
They went to a booth, Killian looking happy and relaxed.
Ruby came over with a big smile and took their order. She kissed Killian's cheek. "That was for creating me my own signature drink, Wolf's Bane," she said with a smirk as Killian laughed, "and for the best time I've had in months. We have to do the Pirate Party every year, I swear."
A loud chorus of agreement erupted.
Killian actually blushed.
"You did very good, KIllian," Emma said.
He shrugged.
Then he heard a loud, angry shout of his other name, "Hook! I want to talk to you!"
Leroy stood in the doorway, scowling.
"Are you kidding me?" mumbled Emma.
"As you said, Love, I cannot win over everyone," he said with a gentle smile and squeeze of her hand. "Hello, Leroy," he said calmly.
"You have some explaining to do!"
"Have I?"
"You bet," he snarled, rudely pushing the pirate, and Emma, furthier into the booth.
"Watch it!" she yelled.
"I got business with the Captain, Sister." He took out a notebook. He sighed. Then he looked at Killian. "You have to give me the Swinging Gallows recipe, Brother."
Emma sighed with relief as Killian laughed loudly. "Well, I usually only divulge such secrets to my crew."
"We're both sailors."
"We are indeed. Very well. The ingredients are as follows…"
Emma smiled and watched as Killian and Leroy huddled together, bonding over the sea and alcohol.
"I know not where you'll get Dragon's Breath in this land."
"Lily, maybe?" asked Emma.
"Oooh, yeah," said Leroy. "I'll go pay her a visit. Maybe she can stock up. I want to devote a whole bar just to the Swinging Gallows for next year's bash."
"Next year!" screamed Ruby as the diner group clapped along.
"You've created a whole town of monsters," said Emma.
Killian shrugged. "At least these I know how to tame," he said with a smirk.
The End
