Chapter 10: Kiss me, I'm Irish
For the next week Killian and Emma's opposing schedules prevented them from seeing or speaking to one another other than the few texts shared between them confirming the evening's plans. Emma had been pulling double shifts at the diner to make up for her lost wages and Killian had been working nonstop ensuring that he would have the weekend off for his brother's huge St. Patrick's day party. By the time Saturday rolled around, Emma was really looking forward to attending the party that evening because she would get the chance to spend some time with Killian and would enjoy the chance to unwind after an extremely hectic work week. A small part of her was anxious though, she would be meeting Killian's brother tonight after only one date. It was a huge step, and no matter how hard Killian tried to reassure her that it wasn't a big deal it still felt like it.
By the time 8 o'clock rolled around Emma sat in her apartment waiting for Killian with Guinness cupcakes in hand and every article of green clothing she owned on her body. While the fire she once had for cooking had burned out over the years, baking was something that calmed her nerves and made her happy. And she knew, from the few time making them before, that these Guinness cupcakes with Irish cream icing were a hit. She usually wasn't the type of person who gave more than a spare thought about St. Patrick's Day but it sounded like a pretty big deal in Killian's world. It surprised her how much she wanted to impress Liam, it was slightly out of character for her. Killian didn't realize it but he was really make her come out of her shell with relative ease.
Her phone buzzed from inside her pocket, she read the message from Killian that said "I'm parked out front." Emma pulled on her coat and made her way to his truck that was parked right outside her apartment door.
When she opened the door he smiled at her, "What have you got there?"
"Cupcakes," she responded climbing into the passenger seat, "I didn't want to show up empty handed." For some reason she felt slightly self-conscious.
Killian beamed at her, "You, my dear Swan, are adorable," he teased.
"And don't you forget it," Emma teased.
The remained of the car ride was filled with uneventful small talk about their past weeks.
When they arrived at the party, Emma could hear the music from outside. She suddenly felt overwhelmed. Killian grabbed her hand at that moment and rubbed soothing circles on her palm with his fingers. "They will love you," he reassured her, "plus Ruby and Robin will be here, too."
Emma shot him a tentative smile and nodded. She didn't voice her concerns and thoughts, but this was the first time she had ever met the family of a guy she was dating. Neal had been estranged from his parents, and she never dated another guy long enough to make it to this step.
When they arrived at the party, Emma was greeted with an explosion of kelly green and the smell of beer and whisky. Killian took the cupcakes out of her hand, "I'm going to bring these in the kitchen," he shouted over the loud music, "I'll be right back."
Emma stood in the entry way of Killian's brother's home and took in the scene around her. People were covered head to toe in green, some dancing with drinks in hand and other laughing with friends. She felt slightly overwhelmed, she hadn't been to a house party like this since, well she couldn't actually recall if she had ever been to a house party like this before.
Moments later, Emma saw Killian making his way back towards her with who she recognized as Liam and Claire in tow.
"Emma this is Liam," Killian announced in a loud voice over the music and talking around his, "And Liam this is -,"
Killian was cut off by his brother yelling "Emma" and pulling her into a tight squeeze planting a slopping kiss on her cheek. Emma couldn't help but laugh.
"Liam is clearly drunk," Killian muttered looking embarrassed. Claire, Liam's wife and Killian's sister-in-law, stood behind her husband looking amused and clearly not surprised by his antics. Claire could really only be described in one word, beautiful. She had jet black hair that was cut in a stylish bob and bright green eyes that seemed to sparkle even in the dim, smoky lighting.
"Hi Emma, I'm Claire," she said simply waving and smiling.
"So you are the girl who has stolen the heart of our old Killy here," Liam said loudly while elbowing Killian in the ribs. Killian's face was growing redder with every passing moment.
"Stop harassing them Li," Claire told her husband while rolling her eyes in an amused way.
"Alright, alright," Liam said holding his hands up in surrender. He immediately noticed someone from across the room and called out to them, "Oi Will! Let's do a shot," without saying goodbye to either Killian or Emma he began making his way through the crowded room towards his friend. Claire told them a quick good bye and made her way after her husband.
"My charming brother," Killian muttered, clearly annoyed by his older brothers antics.
"Awe Killy," Emma said in a teasing voice, "Don't be embarrassed," Emma added with a laugh. Killian shot a mock glare at her and pulled her into a side head, pressing a kiss against the top of her hair.
"Well the fact that you aren't running for the hills is a great sign," he said smiling.
"They seem great," Emma told him. And she really meant it, she was concerned about formally meeting Liam and Claire all week and it turned out to be so easy and relaxed. She could picture herself having lots of fun with them in the future.
"Drunk more like it," Killian said with a laugh. He held out his hand to her, "Speaking of which, let's go get you a drink." She grabbed hold of his hand and was pulled in the direction of the kitchen.
Killian had been more than a little nervous for Emma to meet his family, and was thrilled to see the way that she dealt with the whirlwind that was his older brother.
"What are you having," he asked Emma as they stood in the kitchen. The entire island had been filled with various types of alcohol and mixers. Even though it was shortly after 9 empty beer bottles already littered every open surface in the kitchen.
"Whatever you are having," she replied with a shrug. She kept standing on her tip toes scanning the crowd for a sign or Ruby or Robin. He poured himself a large glass of Rum and coke and made an identical one for her.
By the time he pushed the drink her hand she was waving towards someone in the other room. Ruby and Robin were making their way towards them decked out in green like everyone else. Ruby had of course taken it a step farther and was wearing deep green lipstick and gold glitter all over her face and body. Instead of looking crazy, Killian thought that she actually pulled it off.
"Hey guys," Killian said as they stood in front of them. He shot a wink at Robin that went missed by both Emma and Ruby who were embracing each other like long lost sisters.
Killian noticed that Robin looked a little on edge and refused a drink from Ruby. Killian knew why, because he had heard about it every day for the past week at work. Tonight was the night Robin was going to propose to Ruby. And everything was going to be happening very shortly. They had planned it out that at 10:00 pm when Liam made his usual drunken, rambling, speech thanking everyone for coming. Claire was going to take the mic off of him and call Robin up, at which point he would profess his love in front of everyone and ask Ruby for her hand in marriage.
Killian was honored to be a part of the plan, but in the same sense had mixed feelings about the entire thing. The past few months his life had been surrounded by marriage from Liam's wedding to now Robin and Ruby potentially getting engaged. It made him feel slightly melancholy because he never had the chance to get to this stage with Milah, and on the other hand he was hopeful for his future. This was a surprising thought to him, for years he had sworn off marriage and monogamy, yet as he looked at the beautiful blond on his arm he didn't feel so strongly about that anymore.
Killian glanced down at his watch, and like clockwork Liam had cut the music and grabbed the microphone. Killian watched in embarrassment, like he did everywhere as Liam stumbled through his thank you speech and encouraged the already hammered group to drink more. At the end of his record breaking, fifteen minute speech that had many, including Emma in tears from laughing so hard.
Claire grabbed the microphone off of her husband, "I would also like to thank everyone for coming out, we love having you guys here. This year, our good friend Robin would also like to add something," she said, "here Robin," she finished by thrusting the microphone into Robin's hand and stood on the edge of her crowd clutching her husband's hand and beaming at Robin.
Robin cleared his throat and began to speak while standing in the middle of the floor. "Happy St. Patrick's day," he said into the mic and was greeted with many cheers back, "So if you guys were not aware, I have been dating this amazing girl named Ruby for the past few months," he paused before continuing, "And they have been, without a doubt, the most incredible months of my life."
Killian stole a glance at Ruby who was smiling and already had tears shimmering in her eyes. Emma was clutching onto Killian's hands and watching her friend with great interest.
"Ruby," Robin continued, "I love you. You are the most amazing woman I have ever met." At this point he was now pulling a small box out of his jacket pocket. Killian heard both Emma and Ruby let out an audible gasp. Ruby now had her hands covering her mouth in disbelief.
"I promise that I will love you always," he got down on one knee and stopped speaking into the microphone, "Will you make me the luckiest man alive and marry me?"
Ruby was immediately in his arms screaming yes over and over again and kissing every inch of Robin that she could. The entire room went wild celebrating.
Killian locked eyes with Emma and they shared a sentimental smile. He pulled her into a tight hug and they watched Robin put the ring on Ruby's finger and tried to put everything he felt and hoped for in the future into that hug.
As he fell asleep that night in his brother's guest room with a passed out Emma in his arms, he was thinking that he, not Robin, was the luckiest man alive.