"Well, guys," says Belle. "We've had a good Fall filming. As always, you've been amazing."
There's a murmur of agreement from the crowd. They all stand around set, holding little plastic cups full of alcohol. Since it's the end of the filming, (at least for Christmas), they're having a cast party. A proper cast party - not the shambles Killian threw months ago. One big difference is this party happens to be on set, and the music isn't quite as loud, so there isn't any dancing. It's more of a sophisticated party.
"So have a good, relaxing two months, and be ready to start again straight away when you get back. Okay, guys?"
Another hum comes from the crowd. Some raise their drinks to her. She raises hers back
"And also, I think now would be a good time to remind you about FWC."
Everyone starts cheering and raising their glasses again. Emma can see excitement on their faces and she frowns. She has no idea what this is, or whether she should be excited. Once again, she feels out of touch. Henry would know what it is, but Henry's not here to help her at the moment, so she makes use of the resources she has; Graham.
"What's FWC?" she asks.
"Frozen Wonderland Con," comes a voice from behind her, that is certainly not Graham's.
Both her and Graham turn around to the voice. A man with a long face and a dusting of stubble, not unlike Killian's, stands behind them. He too sips from a plastic cup. She recognises him from the television and filming, but she hasn't really had a proper conversation with him. It's funny how she can work with people months at a time, and not speak to them once. Their schedules are completely different. His name is Robin.
"What's that?" she asks.
"One of the biggest conventions of all time."
"I've never heard of it." She takes a sip of her drink.
"Oh, Emma," Graham chuckles. His eyes crinkle as he smiles at her. "Sometimes I forget this is all new to you."
She wrinkles her nose. She doesn't like to be patronised. "So what is it?"
"It's a place where the fans from the show can meet other fans. Oh, and the actors," says Robin. He goes on to explain that lots of different TV shows go there. They have separate panels, where fans can ask questions. Emma's not sure how she feels about being put on the spot like that. "It's during the hiatus."
"This hiatus?" Her eyes widen. That soon?
Graham's chuckle comes again. "We promote the second half of the season. There's one in the summer as well."
"Oh, and they dress up," says Robin, a wide smile growing on his face.
"Dress up?"
"As the characters," he continues. "It's amazing. Really."
"It definitely puts everything in perspective," says Graham. "A bit surreal. Kinda makes you realise that everything is for them."
"Exactly," says Robin. "And we're only here because they've put us here."
Emma has to agree with that. If a show doesn't take off then it gets taken off air, and the actors have to stumble around until they find another job.
Graham and Robin explain what to expect at a convention. There's art stands, merchandise stalls, interviews, panels, coffee mornings (which happen just to be other interviews - apparently fans win these). All she can do is shake her head in wonder. That sounds equally amazing and terrifying.
Later, after Robin goes to mingle and she stands with Graham, her thoughts are still on the convention. As it turns out, no-one has been booked yet, and she can turn it down if she wants to. Apparently no-one ever turns it down, but they have to check with the actors just to make sure. Graham says that if she doesn't want to go that's perfectly understandable because she's new - she just has to say no when she's asked.
"No, I want to go," she tells him.
She wonders if she can get free tickets for Henry and a few friends. Before, she could never afford for him to attend events like this, let alone buy autographs and pictures with the cast. Even if she can't get him in for free, she'll pay for a ticket. Her last paycheck was too big to comprehend.
"Do you think they'll let me take my son?" she asks Graham.
"At a guess, I have to say probably not. He'd have to go in with the fans. Even then, you've got to make sure no-one knows he's your son. Otherwise, he'll get swamped with requests for autographs and things like that."
"Good point," she says as she sips her drink. She hadn't thought about that.
"But if he dresses up…" says Graham, with a slow smile.
Emma can't help a smile of her own. "Exactly."
Graham excuses himself not long after to get them both new drinks. She's there barely a moment before Killian joins her, making his way over with heavy footsteps.
"So, Swan…" Killian says, as he approaches her. He has a drink in his hand. He drapes an arm around her shoulders.
She shrugs him off. "Killian."
"I was just wondering if you wanted to come to my house in exactly three weeks and four days time. We can watch the episode. Just you and I." His arm finds his way around her shoulder again. She's pretty sure he's drunk.
"Oh no…" She peels it off, and spins away from him. When he reaches for her again, she dodges out the way. "I remember last time you invited me round your house."
"But this time-"
"No thanks," she cuts. "Anyway, there's like three more episodes before that one. Why not those?"
"Why Emma." He leans forward, one of those dark brows raised. "That's the final episode." She frowns at him a moment. Then her eyes widen a touch. The last episode, of course. The kiss. "It would bring me great joy to watch the next episodes with you but alas, I am going home to England. To visit my brother."
She folds her arms. "Huh."
"But I'd very much like to watch the last one with you."
"I'm watching it with my family and… Graham."
"Graham?" His eyebrows furrow.
"Graham Humbert..." she draws out. "Plays Toby…"
"Love, I know who Graham is. I was surprised, that's all."
"I don't know why," comes the Graham's thick, Irish accent from behind her. "We've watched the whole season together." He hands her a drink. "There you go, Emma."
"Is that so?" Killian quirks an eyebrow, leaning against the wall. If Graham fazes him, he doesn't show it. Instead, he takes a slow, lazy sip of his drink. "In that case, I'm sure you won't mind if I join you?
"I don't know…" she says. She exchanges a glance with Graham, who just raises his eyebrows at her.
"C'mon, sweetheart. It would be fun, aye? The three of us."
"Six," Emma corrects. "There's Henry and Mary Margaret and David."
"The more the merrier."
Emma considers this for a moment. She thinks of Graham and how it has become their thing. Graham, Henry, Mary Margaret and David.
Then, as if he can read her mind, Killian says, "I'm sure Graham wouldn't mind, would you mate?"
Graham gives a small smile. "Not at all. But it is Emma's house and therefore her decision."
Killian arranges his face into the most pathetic puppy eyes she's ever seen. They stare, blue and wide at her. His lips are slightly pursed in a pout.
She remembers Henry's reaction to meeting Graham. It made her smile for days after. Now he's becoming used to Graham being there. Though she still sometimes catches him staring at Graham like he's won the jackpot. She can't imagine her son's reaction if Killian walked through the door. That thought alone decides her answer.
"Okay, but no funny business."
He raises his free hand in mock shock. "Me? Funny business?"
"I mean it."
"I assure you I'll be on my best behaviour," he says. Then that voice is back again. That low, flirty, dark voice. "Unless… you'd rather I wasn't."
All she can do is give him a look. She doesn't even credit his words with a response. She doesn't want to fuel his fire; he's already egotistical enough.
"I'll text you the details," says Emma. She's already wondering whether to invite Elsa - just to see her son's reaction- but she's not sure how many more people she can fit in her little house. She and David already have to sit in the floor because not everyone can fit on her sofa.
The next few weeks are restless. Though Emma has the opportunity to sleep in, she can't. She's not wired like that anymore. So she's up at the crack of dawn, twiddling her thumbs.
She doesn't really know what to do with herself. The morning is a rush of running around after Henry, helping him get his things ready for school. She gives him a hug and then he's gone and she's left alone, not sure what to do.
Mary Margaret's at work. David's at work. Regina's at work. Graham and Elsa are on holiday and she's certainly not calling Killian. She can imagine him now: "Missed me, love?" She trembles - no, shudders - slightly at the thought.
So she decides to clean the entire house from top to bottom. She scrubs until the tiles sparkle and wipes until the windows shine, until finally she rips her rubber gloves off her hands and declares herself finished, exhausted.
The weeks feel like years, but eventually she gets there, and it's the day of the last episode. Henry has no idea Killian is turning up and the thought makes her smile, but not without notice.
"You seem happy," Henry comments.
"It's just a good day, kid."
Graham turns up first, on time, as always. He carries a bottle of wine, and holds it up when he sees her, with a smile. He doesn't mention Killian, since Emma's already told him it's a surprise. He brushes past her, straight into the kitchen to put the wine in the fridge.
Mary Margaret and David come next. David, too brings wine. He grins lopsided as he makes his way into the kitchen. He smacks Graham on the back as he passes him.
She takes Mary Margaret's coat, who seems very happy. Not that she's never not happy. When Emma comments, she gives a shrug and another smile. And then she flattens her shirt down over her stomach. Emma didn't notice before, but now she does. A tiny yet unmistakable baby bump, something she wouldn't have noticed if Mary Margaret hadn't pointed it out.
"Oh Mary Margaret…" She pulls her into a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around her. The scent of apple catches her nose.
"And I'm very excited because I'm about to meet Killian Jones!"
"Shhh," she whispers.
"But Killian Jones," she whispers back. Emma can't help herself; she giggles. The two women stand, giggling in the hall, even though they know it must look suspicious.
When the door goes again, Emma has to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing. So does Mary Margaret who is purposefully not looking at her.
"Are we expecting someone else?" asks Henry.
"I don't think so," says Mary Margaret. The word 'liar' is practically written across her face. She's never been very good at keeping secrets.
Emma stumbles to the door. She pulls it open, unable to stop her smile. "Killian," she breathes out.
He raises an eyebrow in response. "Missed me, love?" There it is.
"Please. You wish," she tells him. "C'mon in." Then she turns back around, her voice raising a notch. "Guess who turned up."
She leads Killian into the living room. As he walks, he shrugs off his leather jacket. Everyone looks up at Killian when he makes his way into the room, but Emma's eyes are drawn to her son's face, which loses all colour when he sees who it is. Emma can't force the smile off her face, no matter how hard she tries.
"Henry, meet-"
"Killian Jones," says Killian. He's smoothly extending a hand towards Henry.
"Killian Jones," Henry breathes out. He stares at the hand like it's just turned purple. "No. Way."
Killian flashes a smile and then his eyes are drawn to Mary Margaret, who watches him with childlike wonder. "And who is this beautiful creature?" He reaches over and takes her hand.
"My wife," comes David's voice out of nowhere. He's glaring at Killian, arms crossed, legs apart. A battle stance. "She's pregnant, by the way."
"And practically glowing with it." He kisses her hand, eyes never leaving hers. She giggles, covering her mouth. David glares at them both.
"My name's Mary Margaret," she says. There are hearts in her eyes. Emma resists the urge to roll hers. Talk about a celebrity crush. "I love Alexander. You're an amazing actor."
"You're too kind." He squeezes her hand. Then he catches Graham, and nods in his direction, a little stiffly. "Graham. Mate."
Graham nods back. "Killian."
The tension diffuses as quickly as it comes, when Killian turns back to Henry. "So I hear you're a big fan of the show, lad?"
It isn't long before Henry is gushing about the show, asking him questions, begging to know what's going to happen next. They take photos, (both Graham and Killian) and Henry's already tweeting or posting about it or whatever he does.
David doesn't speak to Killian much. Instead, he glare daggers over at him, especially when he gently touches Emma's arm, as he often does. When it comes to the episode, both Killian and Graham refuse to have the sofa so they sit on the floor, Emma between them. Henry, David and Mary Margaret sit all on the sofa.
They watch the episode in mostly silence. Anticipation builds all the way through, right up until the end scene, where the kiss is supposed to be. She watches the build up a little nervously. She's never seen herself kiss someone before. Then again, she imagined no-one has, unless they're very vain and happened to be positioned next to a mirror while kissing their partner.
Then their last scene is happening. Killian purposefully leans over to her and wiggles his eyebrows, but Emma ignores him, a blush rising in her cheeks. She watches them kiss on screen and it's the strangest thing she's ever seen in her whole life. Mary Margaret squeals, clapping her hands together, David's expression is torn, and Henry has turned bright red. One look over at Graham tells her he is clenching his jaw.
Killian, however, leans back against the wall, arms folded, one eyebrow raised, calm and cool. When she looks over at him, he says, "I think we did a good job there, Swan."
"It was just a kiss."
"I was referring to our acting. How interesting that you immediately thought I was talking about our kiss. Can't get it off your mind?"
She grabs the nearest cushion and whacks him in the face with it.
"I'm dying!" he calls, hands loosely closing over the cushion every time she hits him with it. "Bury me in a - ow, bloody hell, - gold plated coffin. Tell Will I'm sorry for stealing the last doughnut. Let Emma know that-" This time, he successfully grabs the cushion, and peeks over it, eyes darkening. "That I quite fancy her from time to time, when she's not yelling at me." And then, as an afterthought, "Or hitting me which a cushion."
He yanks the cushion from her grasp and throws it over the room. He's still watching her with those dark eyes.
A little flushed, she turns to Henry. "What did you think of the episode, kid?"
"It was amazing!" he says. "I loved it."
"I have to agree," Mary Margaret gushes. "It was brilliant. The best one yet. I can't wait for the second half of the season. Do you know what's going to happen next?"
"Haven't a clue," says Graham. "We haven't been given the scripts yet."
"And even if we did, we couldn't tell you I'm afraid," sighs Killian. "As much as we want to."
Mary Margaret and David are the first to leave. They both hug Emma and Henry tightly, telling them they'll see them soon. Killian kisses Mary Margaret's hand again, turning her into a giggling mess, which causes David to glare at him.
Killian leaves next. He says goodbye to Henry in the living room, and Emma follows him out to the hall. He opens the door to darkness and cold, but turns abruptly to her.
"I had fun tonight, Swan," he murmurs.
"I'm… glad?"
"Look, I was…" He lowers his voice and takes a step towards her, scratching the back of his head. "I was just wondering if you'd like to-"
A loud cough comes from behind them, making them both jump a little. Graham stands behind them, his faded jacket draped over his arm, hovering awkwardly between the hall and the living room.
"Sorry to interrupt this, uh, cosy little meeting, but I'm off now."
"Oh," says Emma, eyes on Killian - who steps away from her, jaw set, eyes narrowed. "Right. Okay then. Well, I'll see you soon?"
"See you soon." He brushes past them both and out into the cool air.
Killian closes the distance between them again. He's so close that she can smell the musky scent of his leather jacket. She holds her breath. She knows what he's going to say, but she doesn't exactly know her answer. "As I was saying, I was wondering if you-"
"Killian?"
Graham is just outside the door, watching both of them. Killian sighs harshly - Emma can feel it - but when he turns back to Graham, he arranges his face into a smile. "Yes, mate?"
"Do you want to share my cab?"
"Aye. Just give me a moment, okay?" He turns back to Emma.
"Actually, you'd have to come now. He's waiting."
Another sigh. "I'm coming." Then he meets Emma's eyes. "I'll see you soon, Emma."
With one last lingering look, he's gone, down the path, following Graham. Emma watches after them for a moment, unsure what to make of any of it. With a soft sigh, she closes the door.
Thank you so much for reading! And thank you for the reviews, they make me squeal like an idiot! (And I get quite a lot of weird looks...) I hope you liked this one. Are you guys ready to up the ante? 'Cause I am.