Sorry... been sitting on this update for a couple of weeks now waiting for my mojo return to get the last few paragraphs written. I hate it when life gets in the way of hobbies.
Emma had just checked out of her room at the inn, somewhat reluctant to leave after having a place of her own again. Sadly however it was time to go back home and try to get some semblance of normality since returning from Neverland, and all the other dramas that had preceded it. The concept of going back to work almost seemed foreign. Hopefully her sheriff duties could wait another day or two for her to settle back in.
Her stomach growled and her head hurt as she left the inn. She'd had way too much whiskey with Neal last night. The anxiety flooded back as she remembered their conversation, and that stupid, stupid kiss. At least the two of them had resolved things, for now. She had promised Neal she would talk to Hook, but Emma just wasn't ready. The thought of going to the Jolly Roger and seeing him with Milah made her stomach turn.
Bacon and eggs will fix it. I'll feel better after breakfast, she told herself. Throwing her backpack over her shoulder she headed into the back entrance of Granny's diner and down the hall to the dining room. She stopped abruptly, spotting Hook sitting at a booth, facing her direction. He was sitting opposite, who she assumed by the brown wavy hair, was Milah. Damn-it!
She froze, afraid any further movement would make her presence known. Should she turn and leave? Act casual and escape back via the way she arrived? Should she just make a beeline for the front door and pretend she hadn't seen him? Crap!
As she began to turn he looked up and right at her, but she struggled to identify his expression. There was no raised eyebrow, no hint of surprise, no furrowed brow. Emma felt as if his gaze was penetrating her soul. Was it sadness? Anger? Disappointment?
She knew she should talk to him. He deserved to know about Gold's schemes if nothing else, even if she wasn't ready to confess her deepest feelings in the middle of the town diner. Emma gestured for him to come to her. She mouthed "Come here," afraid of getting Milah's attention. Finally his eyebrow raised suspiciously, but he didn't move. She beckoned him again with her hand, discreetly throwing her head back in the direction behind her. Hook finally broke his gaze, threw his napkin on the table and said something to Milah as he began to stand.
It was then that Emma turned and looked for somewhere inconspicuous to talk. They could chat outside of course, but they'd be likely interrupted by other diners, or Milah might come looking for Hook. Emma turned and spotted Granny's quaint little restroom. It was clean and nicely decorated much like the rooms at the inn, containing a single toilet and a small counter with basin. She stepped inside, dropped her bag. Quickly glancing nervously at herself in the mirror, Emma smoothed her hair and straightened her clothes before stepping back to the doorway and peering down the hall.
As Hook strutted toward her in his long, black coat she reached out and grabbed him by the arm. "In here," she whispered quietly, pulling him into the restroom and locking the door behind them.
"What is it Swan?" he muttered, the gruff and unpleasant pirate back in fine form.
Emma was flustered and anxious "We need to talk."
Hook folded his arms across his chest and looked around the tiny room. "And you thought a clandestine meeting in a public wash room was appropriate?"
She could feel her heart thudding in her chest and her skin felt like it was on fire. "Will you just listen to me for a minute?"
"I was under the distinct impression that you had nothing to say to me," added Hook with barbed tongue, reluctant to look her in the eye.
Emma wanted to tell him why Gold had brought Milah back. She wanted to apologise. She wanted to yell at him for leaving last night. Most of all she wanted to pound her fists against his leather-clad chest and strangle him with the long silver chain that dangled around his neck. Instead she cornered him against the restroom door and stared into his tortured blue eyes. Her body began to tremble as two sincere yet unexpected words escaped her lips.
"Choose me."
The pirate's jaw slowly fell as he stood there, speechless while looking back at her. When he attempted to talk he struggled to form words. Instead he reached for her, burying his hand in her blonde hair and pulling her face to his with a strength and desire that Emma hadn't felt until now. Hook planted his lips on hers and she responded in turn, standing on her toes as she clutched at his coat and murmured into his mouth.
With her heart thudding wildly with joy Emma slipped her tongue past his lips to tangle with his. Her hands reached up to graze her fingertips along the delicious stubble of his jaw line. Her hips kept him prisoner, grinding against him until she could feel him hardening for her beneath the tightening fabric of his leather pants.
"Swan" was all Hook muttered between ragged breaths as he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer still. His grip was as persistent and needy as hers. He dared to pull away from their kiss, only to trail his lips along her cheek and down along her neck, stopping only when he reached the collar of her sweater.
She felt Hook pushing her backward as he took control, her backside suddenly pressed up against the rim of the basin counter. She lifted her hips and sat on the edge then quickly spread her legs and wrapped them around him. As she felt the burning heat of his groin pressing against hers it was the one time in her life she wished she was wearing a skirt. It would be so easy to slip her underwear off and get him inside her where he belonged.
Hook's mouth was on hers again, his tongue twirling hungrily against hers as he reached up and cupped her right breast, squeezing her already taut nipple over the confines of her clothing.
Reaching for his belt buckle, Emma eagerly unbuttoned his pants and slipped her hand inside, clasping her fingers around his smooth, silky shaft and giving him a gentle squeeze. He was hot to her touch, throbbing gently beneath her grip.
"Emma" he murmured this time as he trailed his kisses along her neck again to nip at her earlobe. His hands were delving under the layers of clothing to caress the soft skin above her belly, making her squirm and gasp.
Beginning to wish that she hadn't checked out of her room at the inn, Emma wished she could drag him back there and tear his clothes off. She'd give anything to feel close to him again. Until now she hadn't been aware of the dull ache she'd felt since they'd argued last night - she had missed him more than she realised.
As Emma released her grip on his manhood and began pushing the waistline of his pants down over his hips, Hook unexpectedly reached out and grasped her wrist. "Emma wait," he urged.
"No, I want you," she growled, attempting to reach for his pants again.
Hook closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply, holding her hand at bay. "And In case you can't tell by my hardened state, rest assured love, I want you too, but I cannot do this. It wouldn't be right."
Emma was flustered and confused, looking into Hook's eyes as she tried to read his thoughts. "Why the hell not?"
Hook took a deep, reluctant breath. "There is something you should know."
"What?" Emma's stomach was tying itself in knots as her anxiety grew.
"It's Milah," he said with a sigh as he took a step backwards. "She's with child – my child."
"What? How-" she stammered with wide eyes, slipping off the counter to stand. "You and she haven't...or have you? But even so that's like not even a day. How is that even possible?"
"No, she and I haven't done the deed so to speak." Hook rolled his hand and nodded to avoid saying the actual words. "At least not for a few centuries."
Emma knew she should be enraged, or devastated or even a little bit upset, but she was far too confused and curious. "How the hell can she possibly be pregnant after all this time?"
"She says she was only a few weeks pregnant when The Dark One took her from me, and believes the child is still with her now that she is back."
Exhaling loudly, Emma felt shocked and dumbfounded. "But how does she know for sure? She should get a test."
Hook shrugged. "I suggested that Milah see one of your town's medical practitioners but she says 'a woman knows' - that she has the same symptoms she did when she was pregnant with Baelfire."
"Jesus, all she has to do is pee on a stick," scoffed Emma. "Trust me, its easy, I've done it."
He didn't respond for a while, clearly lost in thought as he leaned back against the restroom door. "I had wanted to have a family with Milah, but that was a long time ago..." his voice drifted away quietly.
Emma sighed, not knowing how to respond. "Do you believe her? Do you really think she is pregnant?"
Hook shook his head adamantly. "Milah can be somewhat melodramatic, but she wouldn't lie to me, not about something as important as this."
"So if she is pregnant..." Emma trailed of as the reality of the situation began to sink in. She didn't particularly want to hear the end of the sentence.
"If she is indeed with child," the pirate took a moment before speaking quietly under his breath. "Then I must do the honourable thing."
Emma scoffed with surprise. "Are you seriously telling me you're going to marry her?"
Hook cleared his throat and ground his jaw. "I know you don't understand, but where I come from we accept our responsibilities. What kind of man would I be if I abandoned my child?"
"Well gee Hook. I don't know," said Emma defensively. "I guess you'd be no different to me, or my parents, Gold, or Milah for that matter. Hell, you'd be no different to half the parents in this messed up town!"
Hook was quickly back-pedalling. "I wasn't questioning your abilities as a parent Emma. It's just one of my beliefs. It's part of my code. If Milah is pregnant then it is my duty to provide for her and my child."
"And I'm not telling you to abandon your kid, but you don't have to marry Milah! You can still be a good father without being married." Emma paused and looked down at her feet as she kicked at the floor. "Do you-, do you love her?"
The tiny restroom was uncomfortably silent for some time. "I loved her once," he replied mournfully. "Perhaps with time I can learn to love her again."
"I can't believe this." A thought flashed in Emma's mind, one she quickly disregarded. It was childish and immature, but she had wondered if she'd been knocked up if he'd stay with her instead. The discreet trip the pharmacy she'd taken yesterday while Hook and Henry were at the diner made that scenario almost impossible. "So you're just going to wait and see and hope her belly starts to pop out sometime soon? And what if she doesn't start to show? What then?"
"She would never break my trust." Hook shook his head. "Besides, Milah knows me well enough to know I could never forgive such treachery."
Emma folded her arms across her chest. "So that's it then? You're choosing her?"
"It's not like that Emma. I must play the hand I've been dealt."
"And what about yesterday? When you said you loved me?" She bit down on her bottom lip. "Did that mean anything?"
Hook reached out to attempt to stroke her cheek, only to have her shy away from his touch. Tears were welling in his eyes. "I meant what I said yesterday Emma. I love you."
"But not enough to break your code?"
"I'm sorry," Hook croaked, his voice breaking. "If I could have it any other way..."
"It's your life," Emma grumbled, turning her back to him as she stepped toward the restroom door. Picking up her belongings she stared down at the door knob and spoke quietly. "By the way, I found out why Gold really brought Milah back." She opened the door a crack, holding it ajar. "To get between us," she added, "to keep you away from me."
Emma paused for a moment, waiting for Hook to say something, anything, but upon hearing only a defeated sigh she opened the door and walked over the threshold. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Hook's anguished expression in the corner of her eye. "I guess his plan worked," she muttered softly, then stepped in to the hall and closed the door behind her.