Chapter 10

Emma had been surprised how easy it was to get on with her parents. Of course it helped having the others there. For once, she hadn't minded telling people her story and felt the walls around her start to crumble…just not entirely.

Weeks passed, and a month after meeting her David and Mary Margaret, they had to return to Boston. She, August, and Killian drove them to Dublin International. The goodbyes were teary and Emma promised that she'd call them whenever she could. By now, word had reached the media about the new woman in Killian Jones' life and Emma was hounded a lot when she went out, so Mary Margaret told her she was welcome to come stay with them whenever she needed to escape the craziness.

David pulled Killian aside and gave him the stern talk.

"I probably should've had this discussion with you earlier, but I think it's time you and I had a little talk about your intentions with my daughter."

"That's a little old fashioned, even by my standards."

"You forget, I know your reputation." Emma's ears pricked up at the conversation and she started to get worried. Killian and her parents had gotten along perfectly over the last month and so hearing them talk made her nervous. David continued, "Emma's not some conquest."

"I wouldn't risk my heart for someone I see as loot." Emma, Mary Margaret, and August had quieted down and were now watching the exchange, the two men oblivious to their audience. "Whatever we become, it's up to her as much as me." August had literally had the exact same conversation with him three months ago.

Killian looked David straight in the eye and David reciprocated with the 'Head Nod of Approval'.

"Well, gentlemen, if you're finished David and I must be going. Flight to catch." Mary Margaret stepped forward and pulled David away. After more hugs and kisses and teary goodbyes, the Nolan's departed.

In the car on the way back, Emma let her hand linger on Killian's as he shifted gears, with August in the back seat fast asleep because they'd been working late the night before.

"So…defending my honor to my dad, huh?"

"Of course love. It's his right as a father, no matter how old fashioned it may seem."

"Thank you for what you said."

"It's nothing darling." He waved the hand on the steering wheel around nonchalantly before putting it back. "It's my job as your boyfriend to get 'The Talk'. I'll be sure to give them same talk when it is my turn."

Emma was quiet as he drove. When it's his turn? Does he mean with me? Why would he want me? I couldn't even keep my first baby alive, why would it be different now? When I go, he'll be happy. He'll be able to find someone who will give him the family he deserves…which isn't me.

cscscscscscscscscscscscscsCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCcscscscscscscscscscscscscs

Filming got more hectic and so, much to Killian's dismay, Emma had to leave his house for Graham's in Dublin so that they'd all be closer to set and be able to get there should they be needed for some wardrobe emergency.

Days were filled with filming and costume work and nights they were too tired to even share a movie on Netflix, much less go out on a date. They managed the best they could. When either was able, they had lunch in the commissary and enjoyed Granny's delicious cooking. When they weren't able to see each other at work for any reason, Killian would send Smee with a bouquet of buttercups for 'My Princess'.

When Killian had to go to New York to meet with Regina Mills, his tough as nails agent/PR person, he brought Emma with him and she spent the weekend in Boston with David and Mary Margaret.

"How was your weekend with your parents love?" They were relaxing in their first class seats on a plane out of Logan and headed back to Dublin.

"It was pretty awesome. I got to see where I was born and the house I would've grown up in. I visited my grandmother's grave, David's mother Ruth. She died about a year after I went missing. My other grandparents had been long gone before I was born. Grandma Ruth was the one who knitted my blanket." Emma pulled the blanket from the bag at her feet and held it tight. "Anyways, how about you? How'd the meeting with the 'Evil Queen' go?"

"Surprisingly well. She's only called that because she's a tough woman and doesn't take any shite from anyone."

"I'm sure. Didn't think she liked me much ever since she called this a public relations nightmare."

"Regina just likes getting a rise out of everyone. Don't worry about her."

"Well, how'd it go, besides 'surprisingly well'?"

"She surprised me with a screen test opportunity. It was for that movie about the fairytale characters."

"The one where you said they wanted you for Captain Hook?"

"That's the one. Apparently the director, Peter Midas, already had me in mind for the part."

"And…?"

"I got it!"

"Killian, that's wonderful!" She leaned over her seat and kissed him chastely. "We have to celebrate when we get ho—I mean, back to Dublin." Killian ignored the way Emma almost said 'home' and simply took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.

"Aye. We can celebrate in a few weeks and do you know why that is?"

"I have an idea."

"Six months love. We've been together that long."

"I've been putting up with you that long?" Emma said with a laugh.

"You have. And every day I ask myself how I could've gotten so lucky." He kissed her again. "Sleep now Swan, and we will discuss anniversary plans when we've returned."

cscscscscscscscscscscscscsCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCcscscscscscscscscscscscscs

Three weeks later, Emma was getting ready in the bathroom in her bedroom at Graham's for her and Killian's anniversary date. She was nervous because she'd decided that tonight would finally be the night. They'd been so busy before that they didn't have the time to really be together. Something was always getting in the way or one of them was too tired.

"Emma! He's going to be here soon!" She heard Graham calling from inside the room and his reflection appeared in the mirror. "You look gorgeous my love."

"Thanks Graham, but I'm not even wearing my dress yet!" She'd curled her hair again, brushing it out and letting it settle in waves just below her shoulders. Her make-up was simple too, just light pink lipstick, her favorite smudge proof kohl eyeliner, and a slightly shimmery eyeshadow.

"Need help?"

"Sure. Let me just step into it and you can do up the back." Graham nodded and retreated into the bedroom. Emma dropped her robe and pulled her dress from the hanger on the shower rod. She stepped into and pulled up, thankful that it was sleeveless. She walked out into the bedroom and showed her back to Graham. "Need you!"

She felt him grab the dress and tug on the zipper. When he finished, he spun her around and looked her over in the body length mirror in the corner of the room.

"That man is going to die when he sees you." The dress was pink and just above the knee, clinging to her every curve and showing off her assets.

"I'd like to keep him alive for a couple more months thanks." Graham raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"A couple of months? Do plan on killing him soon or something?"

"That's when filming's over. When I go back home and I won't be seeing him again." Graham ran his hand over his face and gave her a Look.

"Emma…"

"Look, just let it go. I want to enjoy my night, okay?"

"Fine, but you need to talk about it." The bell rung just then.

"Oops, he's here. Better get downstairs and keep August from giving him another speech or something."

"Don't think you're off the hook", Graham said as he walked out. Emma just shook her head and dug around the closet for shoes, choosing the ones she'd worn to the Galway wrap party along with the same jacket. After making sure she was ready, she grabbed her clutch and made her way downstairs, where she heard the three men chatting. They stopped when they heard the clicking of her heels on the wooden stairs and stood at the bottom waiting for her.

She blushed red when she saw the way Killian smiled at her, looking sinful in simple dark navy blue suit with black pinstripes and a white dress shirt, first three buttons undone. Emma smiled at him and kissed Graham on the cheek and then her brother.

"Have fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do and you have her home at a reasonable hour Jones", he said as he hugged his sister. The way he said it however, Emma wasn't sure he was joking.

"Don't you worry August, I'll be a gentleman." Killian took her hand and pulled her out the front door to the waiting Land Rover. Before they got to the car, Emma turned to August and winked.

"Don't wait up big brother."

Killian almost tripped over his own feet.

cscscscscscscscscscscscscsCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCcscscscscscscscscscscscscs

Their anniversary date wasn't at any fancy restaurant in Dublin or Drogheda, but dinner on The Jolly. Killian helped her up the gangplank and jumped on deck first, turning to grab her around the waist and pull her down to him.

"Don't wait up, hmm? Is there something you had in mind Swan?" he asked as he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and she placed hers around his neck, running her hands up the nape of it and into his hair.

"Of course." She smiled and scooted closer to him, putting her forehead to his. "I'm so very hungry."

"Emma…" He leaned down and captured her lips in a crushing kiss. They both came up for air with smiles on their faces.

"So…what's for dinner?"

"Emma…"

"What?"

"Minx." He kissed her nose, "Let's ship off, shall we?" He took her hand in his and took his seat at the helm, pulling Emma into his lap.

"Are you going to be able to drive this thing properly with me sitting here?"

"'Course love. I'm a hell of a captain."

He steered The Jolly out into the open water and when they were far enough from land that the city lights were simple pinpricks in the night sky, he shut off the engine and hit the button to drop the anchors. They made their way down below and Emma could smell something delicious.

"What you make?"

"I did not prepare our meal this evening Swan, but I got help from lovely Granny and she cooked up her famous spaghetti and meatballs. It was what you were eating when we had lunch for the first time." He busied himself pulling plates from the small cupboards and placing them in a picnic basket on the counter.

"You remember that? I'd almost forgotten."

"I even remember what we talked about when we met. Do you?"

"How could I forget that? 28 Days Later is a zombie movie." Killian tossed a napkin at her.

"Swan, please! It is not. Those people are simply infected with a rage virus. They did not decay the way the zombies in our movie and others do."

"Let's just agree to disagree."

"For now." He finished packing things into the basket. "Swan, would you mind grabbing two glasses from that cabinet and the wine in the small fridge?"

"I'll be right up. I'm going to take off my jacket, it's gotten warm." He nodded and went up. She untied the sash of her jacket and undid the buttons, laying it on the small couch in the galley. She went to the bathroom to make sure her hair and make-up were ok and was about to step out when she heard Killian coming back down the steps.

"Love?"

"Be right there! Just powdering my nose!"

"There's no need on my ac-" Emma smiled big as she saw his jaw drop and his Adam's apple bob as she stepped out of the small bathroom.

"What were you saying?"

"I…don't remember honestly." She laughed a little at the way his voice sounded so breathy. "You look stunning, Swan." He took her hand in his and spun her slowly around.

"You look-" Killian pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her waist as she placed her hands on his chest.

"I know." She smacked him in the arm and he pressed his forehead to hers. She cupped his cheek and ran her thumb through the scruff.

"That food will keep right? We can reheat it?" Emma had barely finished speaking before he captured her lips with his. He reached out and shut the door leading the deck and Emma felt her back hit it. Killian's hands left her waist and traveled down to her backside and down to her thighs where he lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist. Still against the door, Killian broke the kiss, panting and looking absolutely wrecked.

"I will not have the first time I make love to you be against a door Swan."

"Then where?" He helped her down and took her hand, leading her to his cabin. He shucked off his jacket and hung it on the back of the door.

Emma stepped out of her heels, standing with her back to Killian as she looked around the very small bedroom once more. Reaching behind her, she pulled her hair over shoulder give Killian silent permission to pull down the zipper on the dress. He tugged it down excruciatingly slow. When he finished, he reached up and pulled down each strap slowly, kissing behind Emma's ear and down her neck. The dress fell to the floor and she stepped out of it, kicking it to the side. Killian turned her around and took her face in his hands, running his thumbs over the apples of her cheeks.

"You're beautiful love." He kissed her softly and she placed her hands on his chest again. "Are you sure Emma?"

"Yes." He kissed her again and she slowly started undoing the buttons on his shirt, pushing it open as she ran her hands over the plains of his chest. He pulled his shirt off and tossed it somewhere, pulling her body to him as he pulled off his belt. His pants ended up with wherever his shirt did and he lifted her onto the bed.

The food sat in a basket, forgotten up on deck.