Disclaimer: Characters not mine!
They weren't together. Not by any traditional sense of the word.
There were no romantic evenings out, or picnics at the park. But there was a whole bunch of yearning glances and stolen kisses and quite a few peaceful nights spent with the Jones'.
It seemed that night after Liam's second swimming lesson with her prompted a few traditions of their own. Weekly post lesson dinners had become a thing. Stupid puns were sent her way daily now. And, she couldn't really deny the minute-by-minute happiness that now colored her once monotonous days.
Yes, it had only been a couple of weeks since that fateful night, and yet, she wasn't exactly surprised to find herself in this current situation. Well, not entirely surprised at least.
She had just left the dynamic duo in the living room trying to sort out what movie they were going to watch, while she volunteered to make the popcorn and grab the drinks. It was about half past 6pm, and with dinner finished and put away, Killian saw no harm in giving into his son's plea for a movie night.
Just as the microwave signaled the popcorn being ready, Emma felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist, and kisses being peppered along her neck.
"Hmmmm. Hello, beautiful," Killian whispered in her ear.
"Killian," Emma drew out his name in a whine, "Liam's in the other room. Tame yourself," she chastised.
"Sorry, darling. It's just that you smell so divine." Killian reached his fingers under her chin and angled her head back for a deep, sensual kiss, "and taste incredibly delicious," he added once their lips parted.
While they stopped kissing, Killian kept his head snuggled into Emma's neck. And though she should've pushed him off for Liam's sake, she couldn't stop herself from leaning into him. The microwave was still beeping for God's sake!
"Was there a reason you came in here, or do you just like to torture me?" she asked.
"Actually, I did come in here to see if you needed any help, but," he said, popping the 't' as he moved his hand down to her ass, squeezing lightly. At Emma's jolt of surprise, he continued, "you're much too distracting. Such a marvelous being, indeed. Such a delectable arse, too." He squeezed again.
"Okay, Casanova. How about you take those drinks over there back to your toddler who is only a couple of feet awa-" her yet-to-be-witty retort was interrupted by soft giggles erupting from just beneath their arms.
Apparently that was all it took to get Killian to practically leap away from her. He didn't go too far though. Never too far. They both looked down to see Liam tugging on each of their pants. Once he was sure he got their attention he spoke, "Mmma, papa! Us wash Mimi now!"
"Alright, lad, let's watch Nemo now!" With that, Killian swiftly picked up Liam, grabbed the drinks, and left for the living room, but not before giving Emma a quick peck on the cheek.
Emma finally made her way to the incessantly beeping microwave, poured the popcorn into the bowl and followed after them.
The sight that greeted her in the living room was sight that could melt hearts across the globe. Liam was straddling his father's lap, combing his little chubby fingers through his hair. Killian sat there holding him by the waist, the look in his eyes held nothing but love and adoration.
What truly had her done for was that when Liam was content with his work on his father's hair, he put his tiny hands on either side of Killian's face, and gave him a big smacking kiss on the nose, then giggled like it was the funniest thing he's ever seen in his life.
Emma made her way over to them, she only stopped to pull the blanket that sat on the recliner out and cover her boys with it. She hovered over the seat to place the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. When she turned around to sneak a glance at the pair, she found that Killian had lifted the blanket in invitation for her to snuggle with them.
No sooner than she got herself settled did she feel the force of a tiny human practically pouncing on her. She looked down only to see Liam getting himself all cozy and snuggled up against her chest.
She really did believe her heart would melt any second now.
She glanced up to gauge Killian's reaction, only to find him staring at them with that same awestruck look in his eyes, the same look he was giving his son only moments ago. Emma could hear her heart beating in her ears now.
Instead of saying anything, he simply put his arms around her shoulder, and pulled her closer to his own chest, so she was positioned similarly to how Liam rested on her. She couldn't stop herself from lifting her head up slightly to give him a soft kiss right behind his ear.
The look he gave her was everything.
But of course, Emma being Emma, it scared the shit out of her. So instead of turning it into a big deal, she simply turned her head towards the tv and waited for the movie to start.
About 40 minutes and a handful of excited Look papa! It Mimi, it Mimi!'s from Liam later, she felt his full weight settle against her and his breathing evened out.
He was so adorable, and Emma couldn't help rubbing soothing circles on his back, or the way she ran her own fingers through his hair before dropping little kisses on his head and face.
It took about 10 minutes for Killian to suggest he take him to his room so that Emma could relax. However, the suggestion only made Emma hold him tighter and insist that she was fine, "let's just finish the movie, Killian."
It was 50 minutes later that the credits rolled through the screen. 50 minutes of Emma cuddling Liam – and Killian – while watching the events unravel on screen. And 50 minutes of Killian watching Emma and Liam, wondering when exactly the two became thick as thieves.
This time, Killian did succeed in prying his son off of Emma's arms in order to put him to bed. However, he did not manage to convince Emma to stay put and relax while he did so, instead choosing to tag along with them and help with the process.
Killian got the diaper changed, but Emma was the one to dress him in his cute little dinosaur onesie. Killian could've sworn he felt his heart get about 3 times bigger because of it.
After tucking Liam in, and giving him a few goodnight kisses, Emma and Killian made it back to the living room to continue their snuggle session.
With Liam safely secured in another room, what started as snuggling, quickly turned into a make out session on the sofa with some heavy petting, like a couple of teenagers.
They kissed and touched until their jaws protested at the workout. A couple of hours later found them laying on the couch, Killian flat on his back with Emma sprawled on her stomach on top of him, fingers interlocked, debating ridiculous topics like, did the person who invented college actually go to college? Or if a person owns a piece of land, do they own it all the way down to the center of the earth? But Killian's favorite was when Emma crinkled her nose adorably and asked, "how come there's a light in the fridge but not in the freezer?" That one really got him laughing.
It was nights like these they each secretly craved the most. As much as he loved Milah, and she Neal, it was never like this, not even in the beginning.
There was something to be said for just being able to hang around and talk with someone, without the pressures of having to say the right or smart thing all the time, or the need for hasty sexual satisfaction. No, this was a type of intimacy they never knew they were so deprived of.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end. It wasn't long before Emma excused herself, saying she'd rather not have to walk home at two in the morning.
But alas, it was okay. Because for the first time in a long time, he knew with all his heart that the end was only temporary, and that he'd see her again soon enough. There was that, and he made her promise to give him a private swimming lesson later in the week, of course.
So with a soft kiss, and press of his lips to her forehead, he let her go. He also made her promise to call him when she arrived home so that he wouldn't work himself into a panic.
Like always, she didn't even make it two steps from the door before her phone dinged with a new message,
What do you call an owl that does magic tricks, Swan?
An owl that does magic tricks? I don't know, babe, what?
Hoodini
SO HELP ME GOD, JONES. JUST GO TO BED!
Despite her words, Killian could hear her soft chuckle on the other side of the door.
Mission accomplished.
