A/N: Hello all! This is our last chapter of 'Within Your Ocean Eyes' before the wedding. It is fluffy (of course) and it was that fluff that made it possible to have a normal-length chapter. My life the next few days is crazy busy because of the holiday weekend, but this story came very easily today. Needless to say there is cuteness and smut and it should hopefully be enough to hold us over until the wedding. Let me know what you think, and as always, thanks so much for reading!
The first day of school had signaled so much joy in Emma's life for many years now, first as a child and later as a teacher herself. The end of summer might be clogged with heat, and often times the children longed to be anywhere but the school, but then Emma would remind them what joy learning could bring if only given an honest effort.
Every year like clock work, she'd won her pupils back from the haze of summer holiday, and then the fun began, at least in her book. But now the world was different. She was no longer the head teacher in Storybrooke, and it wasn't because she was engaged as had often happened before, but because she knew life would lead her away far sooner than the end of term. The children deserved constancy, and Emma and the town had found that in their newest arrival.
Belle French was a lovely woman, bright and whip smart from all Emma could tell. She was from Boston, and had studied with some of the best tutors available thanks to her wealthy father. But under the gentility lay a learner's heart, and Belle was unsatisfied with polite society nearly as much as Emma was. Since meeting her a few days ago, Emma only found more and more to like about Belle, and her confidence rose with every instant that Belle would do just fine here.
To see that was the case though, Emma made a decision, one that Belle heartily agreed to: Emma would pass the torch so to speak and she would do so by addressing the children herself. Their parents had all been told of Emma's departure of course, and some of the students, like Grace, had seen Emma in person during the break and had already been told, but for the others this might be hard. It must be handled delicately, both for the children and for Emma, who would miss them terribly.
"Miss Emma, why must you go?" Emma felt her throat constrict at little Lucy's question.
"Well I am not leaving per se, Lucy. At least not yet."
"Are you really to marry Captain Jones? Mama told me you are." Emma nodded and all of the children, those who knew and those who didn't, reacted happily.
"Yes, I am getting married. But that would not keep me from you. I just -," Emma felt her voice crack and Belle came from behind her to take her hand.
"But Miss Emma will be starting a new journey. And besides, she is so good she has decided to give me a chance to be a teacher too. I've always wanted to be one, and now I get my wish as she gets hers." Emma smiled at Belle gratefully before recovering.
"Exactly. Now I know that you will all be wonderful for Miss Belle, because you have all been the best of students for me. But maybe you could promise me?" All of the children, young and older agreed readily and Emma blinked back her tears as she smiled.
"You'll be back though, Miss Emma? Won't you? You can't live out on the ocean forever." Emma nodded.
"I will be back someday. I can't say for certain when, but I will never abandon Storybrooke. It will always feel like home to me." The children seemed pleased with her answer, and before she could break down there in front of all her pupils, Emma took her leave, managing to get down to the end of the lane before the tears fell.
"You've gone already, haven't you?" Emma should have expected that fate would bring Killian just now, when she really needed him. She moved into his open arms, tucking her head against the crook of his neck and nodded, letting the tears fall.
"Yes. It had to be today." Killian rubbed a gentle hand across her back in a soothing gesture, and Emma felt herself relax, even if some of the sadness still remained.
"We could stay, love. The house will not be finished by the wedding, but we could find something -," Emma pulled back only to bring him down for a kiss. She stalled the words and the beautifully thoughtful offers that were no doubt coming and then replied.
"Don't let my tears fool you, Killian. I have every intention of being a Captain's wife. It's what I was promised," Killian smiled, bringing her hands to his lips to kiss gently and then keeping hold of one.
"And I will never go back on my word to you, love." Emma knew that to be true, feeling it as keenly as she felt each breath she took. Killian was so determined to see her happy and to never let her down and she was confident he'd stay the task.
"Have I told you that I love you yet today?" Killian grinned.
"I don't believe you have, Emma. But let me say it first. I love you with everything I am." Emma sighed.
"And I love you too. With you here I know everything will be okay." Her words caused a sudden light to come to Killian's eyes, piquing Emma's curiosity.
"About that, love. I've managed to do the impossible," Emma wracked her brain for what he could mean and then it dawned on her.
"The season?"
"It's over, my love. I'm all yours until the wedding." She jumped into his arms for another hug, pulling a laugh from his chest.
"And then forever after. Don't forget that part." Killian shook his head.
"That would be impossible, Swan."
Emma let herself be wrapped up all over again in his warmth and his steady presence. When she stepped back though, and he brought her arm to loop through his though instead of the more intimate hand holding, she assumed it meant they were walking into town.
"I might have one last surprise up my sleeve, Emma." Emma flicked her eyes to his profile, seeing the smile that curled at his lips and loving the suspense he created. He was no doubt about to spoil her some more, and much as it had once terrified her that he was so generous, now she only felt excitement.
"I hate to break it to you, Captain, but I have all the cocoa, and drawings, and rings I could need. A wonderful sailor brought them all for me. Perhaps you know him." Killian growled low enough so only she could hear and Emma felt the thrill of excitement go through her.
"You tease me, but I know that there is only me. Just as in my heart there can only ever be you, Emma."
"Always."
Emma kissed his cheek and found that their destination was none other than the dress shop. She should have expected it, but somehow in the business of the morning she'd lost track of time. While it would never be her favorite activity, she was glad she'd come with Killian. He was likely the only person who could alleviate the distress that typically came when she set out on a dress hunt.
The two of them were barely inside the shop, when the owner greeted them jovially. There were others in the store but still she singled them out immediately.
"Oh, Emma, and Captain Jones! You've come at a marvelous time. Here, let me show you to the back room."
Marie's excitement should have been indicative enough to Emma that there was something at play here. She would bet everything she held dear that Killian had secured something or commissioned something in terms of her dress, a dress that until now she'd had trouble dreaming up.
They followed Marie into the back room and inside Emma saw Marie's personal worktable, which was covered in illustrations of what the dress might look like. The storeowner blushed a bit at the mess, immediately trying to explain.
"Forgive me, it's just that I so rarely have fabric as inspiring as the selection Captain Jones has procured. My imagination ran away with me." Emma smiled at Marie and turned her eyes to Killian with a raised brow. How much fabric had he procured?
"I hadn't any idea what you'd like best, love. So I thought options a good, sure thing," Emma nodded and then turned back to Marie who proceeded to pull out nearly a dozen types of cloth.
All Emma could wonder was how she supposed to make this decision. Then Killian grabbed her hand, and Marie was called away by one of her assistants for something else and Emma felt herself really relax. With Killian beside her she could more easily envision the moment, the one where she walked down the aisle to him, placed her hand in his and made her vows to love him, hold him, and honor him forever.
Emma had to consider which of these would feel the most fitting to wear in that moment. There would be real, tangible magic in her life on that day, standing in front of her family and friends and most of the town to say 'I do' to the man she was so resolutely in love with. The dress should convey that feeling, the surging beauty of their union, if it possibly could, and then Emma found it, a lace that felt to Emma like it was exactly right. She moved towards it, taking it in and realizing for the first time what her friends must have felt like all these years when they claimed to find the 'perfect dress.'
"This was the first one I found, love." Emma was hardly surprised to hear that. Everything about them seemed somehow fated after all. Why would this be any different?
"Killian, it's gorgeous."
Emma ran her hand over the delicate fabric, transfixed by it's ivory color and ornate design. It was so far superior to anything they had in this town, and Emma could tell it was fine even by big city standards. She just imagined how much time Killian had put into finding all of this for her. Emma pictured him walking through shops in different ports in search of this gift, and the little smile that would come when he'd found it.
"So you like it then?" Emma turned her eyes to his and smiled. He needn't have asked her opinion, for she knew her delight must be clear as day on her face.
"I love it. I can't believe I'll have a dress made from it. A dress I get to wear when I marry you." Killian brought his arms to wrap around her, her back to his chest and when Emma leaned into him, she felt the trust that existed between them. Their love was easy, even if the circumstances they'd been in for so long hadn't been.
"If only that day would come tomorrow," Emma laughed, turning in his embrace.
"It would if you would just sweep me away on the Jolly and marry us yourself." Killian shook his head, though she saw the desire in his ocean colored eyes.
"You know my feelings on the subject Emma."
She did indeed, for though she'd been teasing him for weeks, proclaiming that he could just claim her now, he had a dream a beautiful idea of what they should have when they became man and wife. Killian wanted the start of this chapter to be here, in the place they'd found each other, and the place they'd come back to when the time was right.
"But you can't blame me for trying, seeing as how hopelessly in love we are," Killian laughed, kissing her lightly as they heard the door open and he stepped back, taking her hand in his again.
"Have you made any decisions?" Marie asked, her gaze moving between Emma and Killian as she smiled. She knew what she'd interrupted and Emma nodded even as she felt herself blush slightly.
"All I know is that it has to have this lace." Marie nodded.
"It's truly a work of art. Here are some designs I think might be lovely for you and your choice, Emma." The dressmaker brought forward some of the sketches but Emma hesitated.
"Wait." Marie and Killian both looked up at her and Emma pushed Killian back lightly. "I think this part should be a surprise, don't you Marie?"
"Emma." The slight bit of desperation in Killian's voice pulled at her heartstrings, but Emma shook her head.
"Please?" She knew she had him with that and he nodded, but pressed a kiss to her forehead before taking his leave of Emma and Marie. When Emma looked back from him to the storeowner, the woman was fanning herself.
"I see a lot of well matched couples in this line of work, Emma, but you two. Well it's something else isn't it?" Emma nodded, because that was exactly what it was.
The two women looked over the sketches Marie had and luckily there was a dress amongst the options that Emma knew would be perfect. It would be positively stunning and she knew Killian would love it just as much as she would. Emma could hardly wait to see his face on that day. Only a few weeks left to go and then she'd get her wish.
…..
One Week. That was all the separated Killian from the rest of forever with Emma. In one week they would be married and then all the constraints they'd carried with them for so long would disappear. A man and wife were freer, more able to say and do and show what they wanted, and Killian could hardly wait.
Thank the Gods he was at least docked in Storybrooke for now and had been for some time. Seeing Emma everyday helped more than he could say, but still when they parted his thoughts always returned to her, despite how much more they saw each other.
Killian's body also grew more and more riled with each passing day that he didn't fully make her his, and though his Swan had found more than one opportunity for them to steal time away and make a little bit of magic, it wasn't enough. Nothing ever would be, but there were steps they could take that might calm him some when they were married. Killian was thinking of those delicious prospects in front of the site where their house was starting construction when he was interrupted from his daydream.
"Everything is going right on schedule, Captain. It will easily be done by the winter chill." Killian nodded, at the foreman who was building the house that would forever be his and Emma's. The man made a quick bow of sorts before heading back out with the others as Killian continued to watch as the glen he'd bought became something more.
Things were progressing now, the foundations taking root. Killian could see the shape of the future in each beam the builders put in place, and watched with some interest at all the materials it would take to build this life. Yet it wouldn't be done by the time they were married. It would take another month, maybe two before this place could be the home he envisioned.
Killian wasn't frustrated by that fact though. If anything, he was happy, seeing the house's lack of completion as a challenge. Next spring they would return to Storybrooke, at the very least to pick up on another season, but if Killian was very lucky they'd be back for good. He was planning to do his damndest to see that Emma and he started their family quickly, and if she was pregnant, he knew Emma would be convinced to come back here, to their home.
They'd made a lot of choices, he and Emma, about furnishings and things they'd be needing, but much of the decisions were being entrusted to Granny and to Ruby. Emma trusted her family to make choices that would be true to her desires, and so in turn Killian trusted them just the same. He would never forget this favor either, for only through Ruby and Granny would this house be truly a home when they came back from a winter away.
Killian finally turned away from the site, knowing that Emma was expecting him sometime this afternoon, but he didn't want to wait anymore to see her. His feet carried him swiftly to her house, where his lovely bride to be waited with a knowing smile, a bouquet of some of her wild flowers in her hand.
"You are early Captain Jones." Killian felt the tightening in his gut that always came when Emma flirted with him. The tone of her voice when she called him Captain, it always did things to him that no gentleman could admit to.
"I beg you will forgive me, love. I couldn't stay away." Emma kissed him lightly and when they pulled back Killian took one of her blossoms and put it just behind her ear, so it was cushioned by her golden hair.
"I could be persuaded to forgive… if I was given the right inducement."
"I will give you anything, Emma. Anything at all." She chuckled at his bold desire to see her happy. She thought perhaps that he was exaggerating, but everything he said he meant. He would give Emma the world if only to see her always smiling like this.
"I think I should finally get to see the place I'll call home, don't you?" Emma said, and when Killian realized what he meant, he felt the deepest sense of longing. She wanted to see the Jolly Roger, and not from afar, but up close. Emma wanted to board his ship, the last part of his life where she had yet to set foot.
They'd been dancing around this for months, but Killian would be a liar of the highest degree if he pretended he hadn't dreamed of bringing Emma aboard his ship. They were so close to being wed, and she should see the place they'd call home when that day came. But how would he ever keep himself in check with her on the wooden decks or, even worse, down below in his cabin?
He was nearly about to say no and that they should wait, but the look in Emma's eyes, the excitement at the possibility that he would say yes was impossible to say no to. Even if it felt like it would take herculean effort, he would do this for her.
"Aye, love." She positively beamed up at him.
"Excellent, then let's go."
"Now?!" Emma smirked.
"Unless you had another time in mind better than the present." Killian shook his head, letting her lead the way down to the docks. With each step he thought about what was going to happen more and more, his heart hammering in his chest, and his shock upon finding the ship completely deserted when they arrived only heightened the whole effect.
"My men…" Emma smiled again, as she took her first steps up to the ship.
"Are all in town actually." Only now did Killian realize that Emma had planned this. When he pieced that part of this interlude together, Killian was simultaneously thrilled and in agony.
"You are a bloody temptress, love. More dangerous than any siren."
Emma laughed, taking a look around and as Killian watched her features soften, and he witnessed her taking it all in, he could scarcely breathe. When she ran her hand over the steady wood of the rail and looked out into the water, eyes bright with excitement, it was one of the most gorgeous things he'd ever witnessed.
"Can you see it?" Her eyes were still cast towards the horizon as she posed the question.
"All I ever see is you, Emma." Emma looked back at him, her easy smile back once more.
"I meant our future together out here." Killian nodded, coming up to wrap her in his arms.
"I can, love. I've been dreaming it up for a lifetime."
Emma leaned into him, humming out a happy little sound that made his heart swell. They stood there a moment, content with the light wind coming off the sea to greet them, until Emma spoke again.
"I know I don't have much knowledge of ships, but I do know there's more to it than this." Killian's heart pounded hard against his breast and he groaned slightly, feeling Emma's smile before he saw it.
"There is, love."
"Are you going to show it to me?" Killian felt his jaw tick.
"I'm hanging by a thread above a mess of indecency, Emma. We both know you'll be mine in a handful of days, but I want this to be right." Emma nodded, resting her hand against his heart.
"I won't push for more than you want to give, Killian. I promise."
Killian gave a jerky nod before leading her below decks and to his chambers. He'd been making subtle adjustments for some time, but still the space was rather small. There was really only his bedroom, a small captain's cabin and a washroom in his quarters. Before Emma it had felt like enough, now he wanted larger, grander, more beautiful so she might have something worthy of her.
Emma took it in, awe crossing over her face as she saw all the pieces of her that were already here. Sketches he'd made since giving her the ones from before, her letters, tokens from their moments together all along, were all here keeping him company when she could not. One would never know that the space was small. Emma looked on as if it was the grandest palace.
"Will it do, Emma?" She nodded, but he saw tears in her green eyes and immediately moved to fill the space between them. Where he planned to ask her what was wrong though, Emma threw her arms around him and kissed him fiercely.
Suddenly her need was clear. Emma wanted to feel his love for her, and he would give it to her, at least all that he could. He cursed himself for saying that they'd needed so long to get things ready for the wedding, but there was no going back now. Patience must triumph just a while yet.
He maneuvered them to the bedroom, and took pleasure in seeing how wide her eyes got. The bed here was spacious, a luxury he'd demanded when Emma had said yes to his proposal. Killian needed ample room to make love to his wife, and he'd procured this with that intention: This was a new bed for a new life with Emma.
The blush on Emma's cheeks from her arousal was undeniable, and Killian tracked the rosy tint with his eyes, seeing that it covered even her breasts and down below underneath the clothing that kept her hidden from him. He traced the soft cotton of her dress, watching her response to the feel of his touch.
"How long have you managed to distract my crew, Emma?" His voice was husky, filled with the wicked plans he had to satisfy her dancing through his mind, and Emma swallowed loud enough for him to hear it.
"A while. They should be gone most of the afternoon if all goes to plan." Killian brought her down to the bed, laying her out before him.
"I would ask how you accomplished such a thing, love, but truth is I don't care. I'm just happy you did, even if it might be the death of me."
Emma's laughter turned to a moan as his hands roamed over her, trailing kisses along her mouth and then to her neck. He was becoming somewhat of an expert at bypassing the material between them while still keeping her clothed, but his fingers itched to rip the damn dress off of her. To see her bare, exposed for his perusal was the ultimate fantasy. Just the thought that he would see all of her creamy skin made his already aching cock all the harder.
"Someday I'll be able to see all of you, my love. Every curve and line and freckle on your body, and on that day there will be nothing I can do to hold back."
Emma's sharp inhale as he nipped at her pulse point drove him just a little madder. She was so responsive, so deliciously enamored with the feelings that he gave her. Somehow, through some miracle, Emma was as addicted to the love pulsing between them as he was.
"I won't want you to hold anything back," Killian smiled, moving down her body where he'd hiked up her skirt and revealed her to the cool air around them. He nudged her legs farter apart as he did.
"You say that now love, but you fail to realize how long I've dreamed of this. Being inside you, claiming you, making you mine. It's going to flip the switch. All I'll want is access to you and to the sounds you make." His finger traced against her clit and Emma let out a low groan. "Ah, just like that love."
"You can have it, all of it. As long as I can have you."
"An unfair trade on your part, my love, but I'll accept it all the same, for you are the greatest treasure."
When his mouth lowered to her wanting sex, and his tongue came to move over her slowly at first and then building to harder and faster, Emma completely unfurled. She was giving him all of what he'd wanted – staggered breathing, pleas for more, his name on her lips as she cried out at how good it all felt. It was heady and powerful stuff, but he toed the line, keeping himself contained even as he completely overwhelmed Emma.
Killian likely should have thought about the dangers they were inviting. Anyone could walk onto this damn ship and hear them, but let them hear, damn it. Nothing could be more beautiful than Emma finding her satisfaction with him, and after the one night they'd spend at the Storybrooke Inn after the wedding, they'd be here, surrounded by his crew night in and night out. Killian knew better than to think Emma or him would be able to hide this from any of them. They'd all know just how happy Killian kept his wife.
"Oh God, Killian I'm so close," He hummed against her, the vibrations proving just enough to push her over, and he stayed there through her climax, not relenting.
"Killian, I don't think I can-" He pulled back and interrupted her.
"You'll take everything I give you, Emma. I will be a very expectant husband, and I want you ready. It will be long, and slow, and glorious. We need just a little bit of practice to see that you have the strength."
She closed her eyes, her head moving back against the pillow as he set back to his objective, and Emma took it all, bestowing upon him just as much pleasure in the process. When she'd shattered a second and then a third time, he pulled back. Killian believed she might be exhausted but Emma surprised him, moving for his clothes, or more specifically his pants.
"Emma, wait -," She shook her head.
"If I have to take everything you give me then you have to do the same. You will have duties as my husband, but I will have some as your wife. We should practice those too."
When her hand made contact with his hard length, Killian cursed loudly. He was so damn close to the brink already. Just the slightest touch from her was about to send him over. She had so little experience, practically none at all when they met, but since their engagement he'd given her information on how to please him bit by bit.
Emma was the smartest damn woman on the planet, and the quickest study, but it was that smile, that delight at knowing that she could affect him like this that always undid him. Emma looked so secure and sure herself as she should. She didn't doubt here, and he was glad for it.
When she'd demanded his release in a similar fashion to hers, they still had a little time just to be and for Emma to better take in their surroundings. Instead though, her eyes stayed on his as her fingers lovingly traced along his jaw.
"In my heart I'm already your wife. I have been for a long time."
"Aye, love. And I've been yours completely and undeniably since the first moment we met."
Emma smiled, closing her eyes and curling up against him in the loveliest way, and Killian knew in his heart that this would be the best part of their future. Holding her like this and having Emma this close would be the highlight of his whole life.
Post-Note: I cannot express to you all the experience I have writing this story. It's simultaneously amazing because I love getting to be in this AU and with these two cuties who love each other so much. But at the same time wow do I need a wedding. Which is why there's one coming. The next chapter will be bringing the long awaited nuptials, I'm just trying to figure out if I want a double wedding for Ruby and Emma or not. Gonna be one of those last minute decisions it looks like, but I think it could be cute. They're pretty much sisters in this AU and it would be an amazing last thing for them to have together before Emma leaves for a while. Anyway, I hope you all liked the chapter, and thanks so much for reading!