Emma slumped back against the table as she watched Killian angrily walk out of the restaurant. She was used to anger and being yelled at by now it was something she had learnt to deal with on a regular basis.
At first all Emma had wanted to do was shout back and stand her ground but she soon changed her mind. Over the years she would stand and take whatever Walsh threw at her even when he raised his hand.
Emma tried her hardest not to let him see the fear in her eyes and the emotions swirling around inside of her that's the reason she built the wall to protect her heart. She wanted to stay strong this time to not let Killian's words cut into her like a knife but it was proving hard.
Emma was so scared of everything she was feeling towards him because this wasn't the same as when she was with Walsh. She wrapped her arms around her middle afraid that she was now in too deep.
Killian was different to Walsh he made her feel something deep in her heart, like she belonged and was loved. The tears slowly started to trickle down her cheeks and fall to the tiled ground.
Emma knew she had to do the one thing she was good at running away, it had been a big mistake staying here for this long. To even let herself get close to that family, she had done the one thing she sworn never to do.
Emma lifted her hand up and wiped the back along her damp cheeks as she formed some kind of plan in her head. It was best that she left like she hadn't been there in the first place, save the painful goodbyes and do the right thing.
Killian and the children would move on and be happy without her. Emma tried not to think about how she had pictured a future with the three of them an actually family to love and care for. She shook her head no it was impossible especially now, she wasn't capable of love Walsh had told her that many of times.
Emma swallowed the lump in her throat and pushed off the table feeling her legs shaking she willed herself to move forward. She spotted Ruby walking by with a tray in her hand and a sad smile on her lips. Emma had to lie convincingly without any questions asked or suspicion raised.
"Everything okay?" The brunette asked concern lacing her voice having heard bits of the conversation with Killian.
"Yeah I just need to sort a few things out". Emma quickly moved passed the waitress not giving her much of a chance to protest.
She knew it was a lame excuse but she couldn't think of anything else to say her mind was to cloudy at the minute. Emma rushed across the room and out the door making her way down the wooden boards keeping her focus ahead and trying not to look in the store.
She jogged over the busy road and down the path through the woods leading to the cabin. Emma tucked her hand into the pocket of her shorts and pulled out the keys as she made it up the porch steps. She jammed the keys into the lock with shaky hands not noticing Milah walking up the steps.
"Hey, Anna are you in some kind of rush?" Emma jumped slightly and whirled around to face the other woman her heart racing from the exertion.
"Hi, yeah sorry I can't talk right now". She walked across the room collecting up different items as she passed.
"Your leaving?" Milah followed her down the hall and into the small bedroom watching her stuff clothes into a bag. Emma briefly stopped what she was doing and straightened up unsure of how to explain things to the other woman.
"Yeah things haven't really worked out here after all. Plus I knew I would have to move on eventually".
She knew by Milah's stance that she didn't believe a word Emma was saying. It was time to stop lying to people and tell the truth she scolded herself not wanting to hurt her friend.
"I messed up okay, instead of staying in the shadows and keeping a low profile I go and fall…". Emma trailed off not quite believing what she was about to admit. "I went and hurt somebody I care about and I think it's best I leave to stop things becoming even more complicated". Milah shook her head and took a few steps closer placing her hand on her arm.
"Your going to have to stop running at some point. I know your scared because this is all new to you but if you leave it will just make matters worse". Emma closed her eyes as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I can't stay I'm sorry". She said a little more harsher then she intended to.
"For most of your life things have been decided for you and now that it's changed your scared to make a decision encase it's wrong your so protected. I understand but here's your chance to change things". Milah pleaded trying to get her point across to the stubborn woman.
Emma thought about the words spoken by the other woman and how true they actually were. Walsh dominated everything in her life from the moment they said I do in the small church. She shook her head and continued to stuff items into the bag planning on traveling light.
"I'm choosing to leave". Emma leaped forward and pulled the door open to her wardrobe reaching inside and taking out the envelope of money she had been saving. She shoved the money into the bag and headed out of the door.
Milah refusing to back down and followed her quickly trying to keep up with her fast pace. Emma checked each room making sure she hadn't forgotten anything that would come in handy.
She dropped the keys to the front door onto the coffee table with a sigh not having any time to drop in at the estate agents to tell them she was moving on.
Emma smiled to herself at the different memories she had made in this small cabin. One time in particular was when Killian had helped her mend some floorboards but instead ended up making the situation worse.
She slowly turned away and stepped out of the door pulling it closed behind her. Emma glanced around wondering if Milah had left already wanting to skip the goodbyes. She shrugged it was best that way even if it did hurt her heart a little bit more.
Emma made her way down the porch steps and towards the woods for the last time. She was hoping to maybe catch another bus or ferry something that wouldn't cost to much. Emma thought luck must be on her side when she came to the end of the path and spotted two taxis waiting at the rank.
She slung her bag over her shoulder and rushed across the road slipping into the first taxi. The man who looked like he had seen better days leaned over the seat and asked gruffly where she wanted to go.
Emma inquired about local transport out of town and he suggested the ferry was the best option. She nodded and leaned back in the seat placing the bag onto her lap as the car pulled away. The man tried to make small talk but soon give up when Emma had stopped answering too lost in her own thoughts.
When the taxi finally came to a stop near the other side of the docks she took some money out of the envelope and handed it to the man. Emma muttered a quick thanks and slipped out of the car walking towards the information office to purchase some tickets.
She was surprised at how willing and helpful the woman behind the desk was even offering some advice on where to go. Ten minutes later and Emma was turning away from the desk and going to wait by the gate ready to leave.
There wasn't many people around mainly a few fishermen with their buckets and rods. She leaned against the wall staring out across the sea watching as the waves rolled into the harbour and crashed against the rocks.
Emma realised that she had a lot more good memories here then she ever did at her old home. She wanted to hold onto them as long as possible no matter where she went from here.
Emma pushed off the wall and wandered towards the railings near the edge of the docks. What she didn't see was a car pull up near the edge of the road and a familiar man quickly jump out.
"Emma!" She whipped her head around and gasped as Killian came racing towards her. "Please don't go". He skidded to a stop in front of her with a pleading look on his face. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have overreacted like that." Emma shook her head noticing a few people staring at them curiously.
"No I shouldn't have let myself get so close to even hurt you. I'm sorry I had to lie". Killian lifted up his hand and gently took her small one running his fingers over the back.
"I don't want you to go please I know trust is a very hard thing especially when peoples give you ever reason not to trust them. Its hard I know but I think no I'm certain we can help each other in more ways then one. Emma I may not know much about you but if these past weeks are to go by I'm falling in love with you. I never thought I would feel this way again to share love with somebody and quite frankly it scares me. I don't want you to feel like you have to rush into telling me why you lied because I can see it's painful but please don't leave". Emma stared into his blue eyes instantly seeing that every words he spoke was true.
She couldn't deny that it was true she felt exactly the same way. "I'm scared my husband will find me and hurt you all because that's what he does. I can't live here with that on my mind that he could harm you or one of the kids. It's best I go so nobody will have to suffer any pain by his hand". Killian closed the gap between them and pulled her into his arms rubbing the palm of his hand up and down her back.
"I won't let that happen you don't have to worry". Emma rested her head on his chest snaking her arms around his waist.
"Walsh doesn't stop until he's got what he wants". She whispered tears trickling down her face. "He pushed me over the edge until I was a shell of my former self I couldn't function properly. That night I had cooked for hours hoping and praying he was in a good mood when he returned home from work. At first Walsh was pleasant enough even made conversation until one minute he was fine and the next he cracked. I was so scared that I wasn't going to make it out alive".
Killian slowly led her over to a quiet corner of the docks where a lone bench stood. "I'm sorry to be loading this all on you especially when you said I should take my time but I'm done with lying. It hasn't gotten me anywhere so far and I don't want to hurt you. The truth is I'm falling in love with you also". He smiled softly tilting his head and pressing his lips to her forehead.
"You never have to be afraid like that again". Emma closed her eyes feeling a slight buzz run through her body at the smallest of touches.
They sat for a couple more hours talking about their past experiences trusting each other with the smallest of details. Later that night Emma lay curled in his arms after spending the evening watching a film with the children feeling like she had finally found her home.