Chapter Twelve
Two Months Later
Emma was on cloud nine. Things were going better with Killian than she could have ever expected. After their first date, they began to go out at least twice a week, and Killian would stop by the restaurant to see her on the nights she worked. David was considering giving Killian a job due to his ever-constant presence in their establishment.
She thought back to when they became a couple:
On their eighth date, they decided to make it official. They were taking a stroll through the same park they went to on their first date, where they came across a small pond. There were two swans wading around in it. Emma's eyes lit up when she saw them. "Oh, Killian look at those swans. Aren't they beautiful?" She cooed.
He smiled. "Not as beautiful as you." He told her, while he playfully put his arms around her waist and pulled her in close to him.
She rolled her eyes. "Thank you." She said, giving him a peck on the nose. "I just love swans. They are such magnificent creatures. So beautiful and yet so guarded." Emma can definitely relate to those birds.
Killian took a step back, letting go of her waist and grabbing her hands instead. "Emma, I want to talk to you about something." Killian had been thinking about this for the past couple of weeks and he decided he was ready. "I know we've been somewhat taking things slow, but I've come to a realization." He told her.
Emma looked nervous. "What is it?" She asked.
"Well, even though we have not been seeing other people, while seeing each other I mean, I want to know how you feel about us being exclusive." He said.
"I hate to break it to you, Jones, but I thought we already were." She said, jokingly.
Killian smiled. "I just mean that I want you to know that you are the only woman I want to be with. So, Emma will you do me the amazing honor of being my girlfriend?" He asked.
Emma took his face in her hands and pulled it into her. They shared in one of their very special kisses, although trying to be somewhat tame because they were in a public park after all. Then she pulled away, still holding his face. "What do you think?"
Killian chuckled. "Good, because I have another idea. Now that I am your boyfriend, I decided that I should be allowed to give you a nickname."
Emma loved that he said boyfriend. It had the high school cuteness quality to it. "What's wrong with Emma?" She asked.
"Nothing, love." He told her. "It's just you're my special girl and I want you to have a special name. Something that nobody else calls you, but me."
"Okay so what have you decided on?" She asked.
"Swan." He said, smiling.
"Swan?" She questioned.
"They are your favorite animal, are they not? And they remind me a lot of you." He explained.
Emma leaned in to give him a soft kiss. "Sounds perfect." She said. "But if I get to have a nickname then so do you."
"Alright, Swan. What do you have in mind?" He asked, playfully.
"Hook." She replied, softly.
"Really?" He questioned. "Why hook?"
"Because I am hooked on you…get it?" She said, with a chuckle.
"I'm flattered, lass." He told her.
"You she should be." They remained in their loving embrace for a few moments before they continued on through the park.
/
Killian and Emma were walking through the zoo, hand in hand. He decided it was time to show Emma his project and for her to meet Sydney. He hoped that the gorilla would approve.
"It's not much further, Swan." He told her. She nodded in acknowledgment. She had been quiet on their trek, through the zoo, because she was nervous. Sydney was very close with Milah. Emma was afraid that Sydney would not approve of a new woman being with Killian. He had mentioned that the gorilla has always been fond of him, but that does not mean that Sydney would automatically like her. Emma chuckled at the thought that she was worried about impressing a gorilla, but this was important to Killian so she made the best of it.
They reached the building a few moments later. Robin was waiting for them. "Hey mate. Emma, nice to see you again." He greeted.
"You too, Robin." She replied. Killian introduced them a few weeks ago, and she liked her first impression of him. He is a good friend to Killian and only wants the best for him. She knows that one day she will have to thank him for setting her boyfriend up with that awful woman because it has led to the happiest time in her life.
Killian turned to Emma. "Are you ready, Swan?" He asked.
"Yeah, I guess so." She replied. Killian, once again took her hand, as Robin took them around the back of Sydney's space.
The gorilla was on the opposite side of the pen. Emma realized that she had met him before but she figured that Sydney would not remember her. She was wrong. Sydney came over to them and put his hands out as if he wanted her to give him a high-five. Emma placed her hands against his, a little nervous about what he might do. Then he made the same movements, with his hands, as he did the first time they met. She followed his movements.
"I think he likes you, love." Killian commented.
Robin was intrigued by this scene. "Interesting." He commented.
"What's interesting, mate?" Killian asked his friend.
"Well, the only other person I've ever seen him do that with was…Milah." Robin told them.
"I think he approves of my taste in women." Killian joked.
"I don't think that's it, Killian." Emma told him. She was holding Sydney's hand in hers.
Killian smiled. "Well, clearly he approves of you darling." He gave her one of those looks that always made her go weak in the knees.
"What time is it?" She asked, trying to distract herself.
"Almost two." Robin told her.
She looked at Killian. "We still have time before we meet my parents." They were having dinner with the Nolans. Killian did not mind. Actually, he and David got along very well. Mary-Margaret claimed they were developing a bromance, a term she had heard one of the few television shows she watched.
"Well, I need to take Smee for a walk." He told her. "Henry won't be back from his grandparents until later this evening."
"Why don't we both take him for a walk?" Emma suggested. "I mean, I've got to meet him sooner or later."
"Well, Swan, since you did so well with Sydney let's see how you do with my dog." He said.
They turned to leave. "Thanks Robin. We'll see you later." Emma told him.
"Bye guys." He said as they walked away.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Killian's townhouse. It was the first time Emma had been there. Killian parked the truck out front. He turned off the vehicle and took her hand. "You ready, love?" He asked.
Emma smiled. "To meet your dog? Of course." Then Killian got out of the truck, walked over to Emma's side to help her out.
"Such a gentleman." She said.
"I'm always a gentleman, love." He told her. The walked up to the front door, Killian unlocked it, and they went inside. Smee came running down the stairs as soon as he heard the front door open.
Killian opened his arms to the dog, hoping he would jump up to greet him. Instead, Smee walked straight past his owner and went directly over to Emma. She held out her hand so he could sniff it. She squatted down to his eye level and he immediately lathered her face with slobbery kisses. She laughed at the dog's affection.
Killian was somewhat offended. "Hey Smee, what about me?" He asked the dog. Smee continued to ignore him. "Well Swan, it appears that the animals in my life like you more than they like me." He was a little jealous.
She stood up next to her boyfriend. "Killian, this is what you wanted. Isn't it? The two most important animals in your life approve of your girlfriend." She reassured him.
"Of course, but I didn't want them to forget all about me." He pouted.
Emma kissed his forehead. "Come on, Hook. Let's take my new friend for a walk." She said.
"Aye, love." He replied, grabbing the dog's leash.
/
Dinner with Emma's parents went very well. They tried a new Chinese place that had opened a couple of months ago. They returned to their restaurant for a drink, as the minus one club was going to convene. The guys tried to get Killian to join their game but he politely declined because he had other plans. He grabbed a bottle of merlot and two wine glasses and took Emma out to the garden.
Emma felt bad about leaving her family and friends to spend more time alone with Killian because she had been spending so much time with him lately. She deeply cared for him however she did not want to neglect her family either.
Killian took her hand. "Come on Swan. Don't make a man drink alone." He said coyly. She followed him outside.
It was a beautiful night to enjoy a drink. The air was warm and the breeze was cool. The perfect combination. They sat on the bench that resided in the middle of the garden. Killian took a drink from his glass while Emma nursed hers. He noticed that she was quiet. "What's on your mind, love?" He asked.
"Oh nothing. I was just thinking about Robin." She replied.
Killian looked puzzled. "Should I be concerned that that beautiful head of yours is occupied with thoughts of my friend?" He asked, jokingly.
"Of course not." She said. "I was just thinking about the concern he has shown for your happiness. I mean look how many women he tried to set you up with." Killian nodded. "Even now, he's happy because you're happy, even he did not have a hand in getting us together…"
"Although, he did get the ball rolling." Killian interrupted.
"I was just thinking that maybe we should try to help him." Emma suggested.
"Love, Robin is not one for commitment. He tried that once. He was engaged to his college sweetheart, Marian, and was ready to take the plunge, but that never happened because she dumped him at the altar. He has went out with a number of women over the years and he never lets it go past a couple of outings. Marian broke his heart twenty-five years ago and I don't believe it has ever truly healed." He told her.
"Maybe his heart has not been able to heal because he hasn't met that special person yet." She offered. "Be honest, did you think that you would be able to heal before you met me?"
"No, I didn't." He admitted. Killian sighed, knowing Emma was right.
"What are you saying, Swan?" He asked. "That we should become his matchmaker?"
Emma smiled. "Exactly."
Killian took her free hand. "And who do you have in mind?"
"Regina." Emma replied.
Killian took a moment to think about it. "I can see those two together." He agreed. "What made you think of her?" He asked.
"Well, you know that her husband died when they were only married for a little over a year." She said. "Losing Daniel broke her. My parents thought she would never recover. I asked her why she doesn't really date much, and she told me that she has not found anyone that could make her feel whole again. So, she decided to give up on that part of her life. Of course, that hasn't stopped her from trying to interfere in my life."
Killian smiled. "Sounds like they would be perfect for each other. You are bloody brilliant, Swan. Amazing."
"I know." She smirked.
"Let's give them a taste of their own medicine, shall we?" He said. They clinked their wine glasses together to seal the plan.
/
A/N: So, I have revealed my special plans for Robin. SPOILER ALERT: Robin doesn't die in this story. Sorry I had to put that out there. Do you like the nicknames? I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. This chapter was entirely of my own creation. Thank you all for the amazing reviews. Up next, the gang goes bowling. Killian meets Elsa and Liam for the first time, with some fun interaction. Also, Robin and Regina will meet.
