Chapter 11: A Head Full of Dreams
The next few weeks of Emma's life were like something out of a fairy tale. Albeit a fairy tale that included pulling double shifts to make ends meet and two annoying friends but also a Prince Charming as well. Killian had fit himself into her life with such ease, that it felt like he had been around since day one. This scared Emma, because it was the exact kind of thoughts she had when she was with Neal. And to say that relationship ended disastrously would be an underestimate.
It was a Wednesday afternoon which was Emma's usual day off and like always she found herself scrubbing her kitchen completely clean. It wasn't like Emma was a neat freak by any means, but having a clean kitchen was something that followed her out of the culinary world and it made her happy.
She was so caught up with cleaning that she didn't hear someone knocking at her door. Emma jumped so high that she almost knocked the bucket of water on the floor over when she heard someone call her name from the living room. "Emma," she heard Killian calling, "Are you home?"
"In the kitchen," she called back beginning to peal the bright yellow kitchen gloves off.
When he walked in the kitchen his face lit up. "I was knocking for a while," he explained, "then I remembered that you showed me where the spare key was the other day." Emma couldn't help but think how cute he looked today, when she noticed his forest green t-shirt that showed off his muscles.
She on the other hand looked like a train wreck. She had her hair thrown into a messy bun that was perched on top of her head, the t-shirt that she was wearing was so old that it was littered with holes and had a pair of bleach stained black leggings on.
"So what's up?" she asked while throwing the gloves down on the island.
"I was in the neighborhood and knew you had the day off," he said, "so I decided to stop by and see if you wanted to go get ice cream or something."
"Ice cream?"
"Yeah, it's nice out and seems like a good idea," he said simply.
"Alright. Let me change first though," Emma told him.
Killian shot her a smile, "What are you not going to wear that."
Emma gave him a dangerous look, "So funny. Let's see how good you look when I barge in on you unexpected."
"I look beautiful 24/7 love," he offered with a laugh. Emma stuck her tongue out at him before leaving for her bedroom. As she walked down the hall she heard him laugh and call out "so mature Swan."
She emerged minutes later wearing black skinny jeans, a deep red V-neck shirt, and red converse. After washing her face she decided to forgo makeup and left her hair in the messy bun. Emma wasn't usually one to care about her appearance and Killian's presence in her life didn't really change that.
"Let's go," she said before grabbing her purse and heading out the door with Killian trailing behind her.
Killian and Emma ventured down the street heading towards the ice cream shop he had noticed the other day after dropping her off from dinner with Claire and Liam.
She walked slightly ahead of him and he couldn't stop himself from admiring how beautiful she looked. Emma was the kind of woman who could put zero effort into her appearance and still look more stunning than any model.
He felt over the moon when he reached for her hand and she accepted. They continued to walk in a comfortable silence before Emma stopped dead in her tracks and he almost tripped over her.
"What?" he questioned. She stopped in front of an empty storefront that had a sign that said for sale in red block letters. It was a tiny building that was crammed between a tailor's shop and a photographer's business.
"Every time I walk past this place I always think of how great it would be to have a little café here," she said this more to herself than to him. And for one of the very first times Killian realized that she was opening up a small part of herself that she kept hidden to him. She had always shied away from discussing anything from her past career as a chef, simply responding that it was a long story than changing the subject.
"It's silly," she continued, "but owning my own restaurant is something I still dream about." He looked at her and noticed the sad, wistful smile on her face.
He gave her hand a slight squeeze, "One day you will have it." His words seemed to pull her out of her trance. Looking embarrassed she put her head down. Killian wasn't exactly sure what to say to her without pushing the story of her past. Which she was clearly reluctant to give.
"Let's go get that ice cream, okay," she said in a cheerful voice flipping 360 from where her emotions were moments before. He smiled and nodded following her a little farther down the road until they reached their destination.
As they ate their ice cream he wished he would have done more to comfort her before but he didn't want to push. He would give Emma all the little cafes in the world if he could. It was way too early, for both himself and for Emma, to be throwing the L word around. But he could feel himself falling for the beautiful blonde who was sitting in front of him, licking mint chocolate chip ice cream before it ran over the sides of her cone and onto her fingers.
"I can't believe of all the flavors of ice cream in the world, you choose vanilla," she said pulling him out of his own thoughts.
"What is wrong with vanilla?" he asked in a mock offended voice.
Emma scoffed. "It's the most boring flavor," she told him.
Without thinking Killian plunged his vanilla ice cream cone at her and got it on her nose, "How's that for boring?"
Emma sat stunned for a moment then began laughing while dabbing her nose with a napkin. "I can't believe you did that," she exclaimed while still laughing.
He smirked at her, "that will teach you to make fun of my ice cream preferences."
She continued to laugh until he suggested that they make their way back to her apartment. They slowly walked down the street, fingers entwined.
"Thanks for taking me out today," Emma told him.
"No problem," he said, "it beats cleaning."
"I agree," she said with a small chuckle.
"Plus," Killian began slowing down and pulling her closer to him, "I missed you Swan." He pressed his lips against her and was happy when she deepened the kiss and put her arms around his neck. The stood there in the middle of the sidewalk kissing until Killian felt drops of rain falling on his exposed arms and neck.
"It's raining," Emma whispered in a slightly dazed voice.
"Aye," he said capturing her lips one more time not bothered by the light rain drops.
When the rain starting to pick up Emma pulled away, "We should get back." Killian nodded his head silently and grabbed onto her hand again.
As they made their way towards her building the rain really picked up and they found themselves running the last few blocks hand In hand and laughing.
When they reached her door both were soaked completely through. He leaned in and kissed her again. "I should go."
"You don't have to," she said between breathless kisses.
Killian stopped for a moment and looked her directly in the eye. "Are you sure?" he questioned.
"Yes," she told him. In a flash his lips were on hers again with renewed fervor. She opened the door and they nearly tumbled to the floor.
They peeled each others wet clothes off as they made their way to the bedroom their lips rarely parting. Though he had never been in Emma's bedroom before everything about the space screamed Emma. It was decorated in warm colors, and like the living room contained overflowing bookshelves, and a copy of Van Gogh's Sunflowers adorning the wall. He laid her down on the bed and took a moment to admire the gorgeous, nearly naked woman beneath him. "God, you are beautiful." Emma's cheeks flushed red.
They stripped off the remainder of their clothes, kissing, touching, until Killian could think of nothing else but wanting to pleasure her in every way possible. He kissed his way down her neck, feeling himself stiffen as she let out a soft moan. He kissed down her chest and took one breast in his mouth and his hand kneaded the other. When he flicked her nipple with his tongue Emma moaned his name. He pulled away and kissed her again, this time pressing his hips into hers.
Killian spent the next few hours exploring Emma's body completely and making love to her until they both laid, entangled in each others arms, and grinning.
