Okay, so first of all, I'm sorry it's been a while by my book on a fic. I've been working, been out with friends and I would have updated last night, but I had an allergic reaction to something. Also, I apologize for any mistakes. I split wine on my laptop, so a few keys aren't working, so I'm using an external keyboard, which is so ancient lol.
Rant time:
How many times do I have to say it? If you want to point out a mistake then have the decency to point it out in a nice manner. I am sick of having guest reviewers using errors and then telling me in a rude manner that they don't' like the story anymore. To the guest who just pointed it out with Mary Margaret, I am sick and not with it at the moment. If you don't want to read works with mistakes in, then find a published book which has been professionally edited. I am seriously cheesed off that the way you came across to me then about an error. If you want to be rude and tell an author that you are no longer enjoying a fic, then move on to the next one and don't read mine. I have already taken down one of my fics because of people like you and others, and if I continue to be treated in the way some guests are, I will not write anymore.
There is a difference between critique and hate. You've made me feel insecure about my work, because now all I can think that heaps of other people are no longer enjoying what I'm writing. Either log in and tell me through direct messaging in a KIND manner, or just move on. I don't want to have to deal with a childish review over a mistake. I've changed it because yes, it was completely out of context and if Mary Margaret was to "carry a torch" for Killian it would be gross, but when I wrote it, it didn't even flash through my mind for one second for it meaning anything along those lines.
So in future, if you want to leave reviews like that, go on another fic. I'm fed up of dealing with anon reviewers who just want to bitch and put me down. Writing is supposed to be fun, and right now, I'm struggling to even write one paragraph. Just be kind and respectful of the author in the future.
Chapter Ten:
An hour later, Killian managed to escape Leo and the Ps3, to join Emma in the back yard. Emma was helping Mary Margaret to pot some flowers, whilst David mowed the lawn.
"Would you like some help?" Killian asked, as he stopped beside Mary Margaret.
Emma watched as her mother smiled up at Killian and handed him some pansies.
"That would be lovely." Mary Margaret smiled. "Those are going just there, by the pool."
Killian made his way over to the section where Mary Margaret had pointed out, and he noted that Emma was potting a rose tree. Killian knew that Mary Margaret liked flowers and as he watched Emma calmly organize her rose tree, he could see that Emma was the same. He chuckled as she wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, before standing up and admiring her work.
"It looks beautiful!" Mary Margaret exclaimed, as she made her way over, standing beside Emma. "I love the red roses. You were right. I like them better than yellow."
Emma looked at her mother and smiled. "I told you so. Your garden is elegant, and I thought red would look better with the flowers you already have than yellow roses."
Killian planted his pansies, before standing beside Emma, looking at the tree. He too knew that Emma preferred red roses. He could remember her saying as a teenager that she liked red better.
"Well, it sure does look nice." Killian replied, earning a smile from Mary Margaret.
Emma felt Mary Margaret's arm wrap around her shoulders, and shockingly to Emma, she pulled Killian into the embrace as well. Emma laughed as she was squished between the two. Even though she and Killian didn't used to get on, Emma always knew that her mother carried a torch for Killian. Emma could tell that Mary Margaret wanted her and Killian to move past their differences and become friends.
"Okay, suffocating here." Emma said after a few moments, finally getting out of their embrace.
Killian chuckled as Emma quickly re-tied her hair before glaring at the two in a playful manner.
"Okay, well it's getting late, Killian." Mary Margaret said as she looked at her watch. "I think you should get going."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Wow, one minute your happy he's here and the next you can't wait to get rid of him."
Killian's cheek's tinged red for a few moments, before Mary Margaret's eyes widened slightly.
"I didn't mean it like that, Emma. I'm sure his parents are expecting him home for dinner, unless you'd like to have dinner with us."
Emma glanced at Killian and she could see the rejection in his eyes, and it left a sad feeling in her stomach.
"I'd love to, but I'm needed at home. We have guests. I only got out this afternoon because my mother took pity on me." Killian chuckled, as the three headed back into the house, David finishing the lawn off.
"Okay, well, we'd love to have you around for dinner again one night." Mary Margaret smiled. "See you later."
"Have a good evening."
Emma turned to face Killian once her mother left the room and smiled a little.
"I guess that you need a ride home, hey?" Emma said, as she grabbed her car keys.
"Uh, yes please." Killian smiled, as he headed for the door.
After telling David that she was dropping Killian off home, Emma exited the house and got into her car, before starting the engine and pulling onto the road.
"So, may I enquire why you always get so tense when I mention Neal or when he's around? It isn't because I once liked him is it…"
Killian sighed. "Uh, not really. I just never got on with the guy. He's alright, Emma. I'm not his biggest fan, but he's decent."
Emma nodded and sighed. "Oh well, just so you are one hundred percent confident on the situation, I don't like him any longer."
Killian glanced at Emma out of the corner of his eye and smiled. "I know."
Emma smiled at him, before concentrating on the road again. Eventually, she pulled up out the front of his house and sighed.
"I'm with Belle tomorrow…"
"So, do you want to do something in the evening?"
Emma glanced at him curiously. "Like what?"
"There's a nice seafood restaurant we could try." He offered, looking at her in a gentle manner. "You know, it could be like a date."
Emma blushed a little but her smile didn't fade. "I'd love to. Text me the details tomorrow."
"I will. Good night, Emma."
"Good night."
Emma watched as Killian made his way to the front door of his house. She chuckled when he turned and waved before disappearing inside.
This time next week, they would be in New York, and it would be New Year, which means Christmas will have gone. As Emma drove back towards her house, she realized that she and Belle needed to go shopping tomorrow, as now she needed to get Killian a present.
The next day, Emma met Belle outside of the town library, where she had just had breakfast with Robert Gold, the two then headed down Main Street together.
"Any idea what you're going to get lover boy for Christmas?" Belle teased, as they walked down Main Street together.
Emma shook her head. "I don't have a clue. I don't exactly know him a hundred percent. I'm thinking something simple and plain. He wants to travel, so I'm thinking a travel book so he can plot where he wants to go."
Belle smiled. "That sounds lovely. I wonder what he'll get you."
Emma shrugged. "Who knows?"
Belle and Emma entered the local book shop, Once Upon A Time. Belle made her way over to the romance novels straight away like she always did, whilst Emma headed over to the travel section. It took her a while to scan through the books, before finally pulling a thick book off the shelf. 101 Places to Go Before You Die.
Emma opened the book and had a quick scan through. It had a list of places, and each place had a detailed description and a list of things to do. Emma smiled, as she read about Venice, the one place she wanted to go.
"So, have you found something?" Belle asked from the other side of the shelf.
"Yeah." Emma called back, as she made her way around the case, holding the book.
"Alright, well, I got Robert his present yesterday, so how about we do some girl shopping?"
Emma nodded as she handed the book over to the shop worker, for him to scan it through the system. After paying, Emma and Belle headed into a dress shop. Apparently, the Christmas Ball was going ahead, and Belle said that she needed a new dress. Emma was planning to wear an old dress, as she didn't have the money to buy a new one, but it was clear that Belle was not holding back.
Emma glanced through a rack on the wall at blue evening dresses, whilst Belle made her way through gold ones.
"So, are you and Killian going to the ball together?" Belle asked, as she made her way over to Emma, carrying numerous amounts of dresses in her arms.
"He hasn't asked me, so I guess not." Emma replied honestly, as her gaze settled on a blue trumpet style gown.
"Wow, Emma!" Belle exclaimed, as she looked at it. "It's beautiful. You need to get it!"
Emma glanced at the price tag and her eyes widened. Quickly, she pushed the dress back onto the rack.
"Uh, I think I'll just stick with my old prom dress." Emma muttered. "But you need to get trying on yours."
Belle nodded and made her way into the dressing room, whilst the shop assistant, Flora, made her way over.
"You know that dress would look beautiful on you, but I think in pink better…"
Emma looked at the older woman and smiled softly. "Oh, well, I don't have any money at the moment, but if I were to buy it, I probably would go for blue. It suits me better. Or red."
"Well, I'll give you a tip, all the women and girls at the Christmas gathering this weekend will either be in red, gold or green. I definitely think you should wear blue. You would stand out beautifully."
Emma blushed as Flora made her way back to the counter.
Another ten minutes went by before Belle made her way out of the changing room carrying a puffy gold dress. Immediately Emma knew she was taking after the Disney Princess, and she could see that Belle was radiating with her choice.
"Don't I get to see?" Emma asked, surprised at the fact that Belle hadn't shown her.
Belle simply shook her head and gave Emma a small grin. "Nope. It's a surprise. You know you should have tried that dress on…"
Emma sighed. "Look, I'd rather spend my money on place in New York, considering that is where I want to live in the future."
"I know. Anyway, I wonder what Jones got you for Christmas. I bet it's something beautiful."
Emma chuckled. "As long as he doesn't go overboard I'm fine with whatever it is."
"Well, we will have to wait and see."
Another five minutes went by before Emma and Belle emerged from the dress shop, and the last person Emma expected to run into that day, Killian, was right outside the door. His eyes widened as well, as though he didn't expect to see her there.
"Hey." Emma smiled, as she looked up at him with a shy smile.
"Hi." Killian replied, clearly stunned. "Been dress shopping?'
"I have." Belle chirped up, holding out her back for Killian.
"I take it you found something." Killian smiled at Belle, before noticing that Emma was empty handed, apart from a paper bag, from the local bookshop. "You didn't find something to your liking, love?"
Emma's cheeks tinged a little at the word love. Belle, who had clearly heard it was grinning madly, clearly trying to contain herself.
"Couldn't afford anything." Emma replied, honestly. "I'll just wear an old dress. We're still on for tonight, aren't we?"
Killian nodded and his smile turned playful. "Aye, I'll pick you up at six thirty. Well nice seeing you Belle."
"Likewise." Belle smiled.
"See you." Emma said, briefly touching Killian's arm as she walked past him.
After making sure that Emma and Belle were gone, Killian turned to the dress shop and sighed. He had been walking up and down this street all day, not knowing what to get Emma for Christmas, and now it seemed the answer was right in the palm of his hand. He was of course going to ask her to the ball, and he felt sad that she would have to wear an old dress, so his present would be a dress, and a corsage.
Flora looked mildly surprised when Killian entered her dress shop.
"Can I help you?" Flora asked in a suspicious tone.
"Actually yes…" Killian answered, feeling awkward.
Flora was Aurora's godmother, and clearly Flora still remembered him as the guy who stood up Aurora in high school. Gulping, he glanced around.
"Emma Swan was just in here. I was wondering if you know what dress she was looking at?"
Flora raised an eye-brow, but didn't question his motives as she led him over to the rack where Emma had been looking.
"She's a size four." Flora said, pulling the blue dress off the rack.
Killian ran his fingers over the soft material and smiled. He knew that Emma would look beautiful.
"I'll take it."
Flora took the dress over to the counter, before ringing it up.
"You're not planning to stand Emma up are you?"
Killian looked in the older woman's eyes and sighed. "No. I really care for Emma."
Flora smiled as she handed him the dress.
"I can see it in your eyes. Don't break her heart, Jones. Emma Swan is one in a million."
Killian looked at the older woman softly. "I know."
Thoughts?