It didn't have to lead to the bedroom.
She could have stayed there on the couch, holding him as they sat for hours and that would have been fine, lovely… wonderful, even.
But Emma couldn't keep her lips from his mouth or her hands from his skin.
"Emma-" he panted as she slipped further onto his lap until her knees nestled against the back of the couch. His hair was mussed up from her fingers and she knew her own appearance hadn't fared much better. The top few buttons of her shirt had become undone when he pressed kisses against her neck and she could tell her lips were already kiss-swollen.
Not that she cared.
Her current concern was amazement at exactly how much pleasure Killian Jones was able to pull from her.
You see, everything between them was a little familiar, but at the same time new. Previous touches and attentions had been marred by layers of emotional restraint - by a little voice inside that said it means nothing, don't let yourself feel-
Now that voice was silenced and she was finally opening herself up-
Now everything was amplified tenfold.
Finally, she could let herself just feel.
Finally, it was time to give in to what she always really wanted.
"Let's go to bed," she whispered in his ear.
/
His body wrapped around hers like that's how it belonged.
And he did belong to her.
He'd hung his heart on his sleeve the first time she had let him glance behind her barriers. There was never going to be a way he wouldn't fall hopelessly in love with this woman.
And she loved him.
She loved him.
That simple declaration had made his heart sing and his world and future open up in a way he hadn't imagined possible.
She loved him.
/
It wasn't smooth or soaked in passion. Instead, this time their lovemaking was of a more gentle sort - punctuated by shy smiles and light laughter as they worked out their adoration for one another between the cotton sheets.
She'd never allowed herself to appreciate before just how well he seemed to know her body, the ease with which he cradled and cherished her took her breath away.
Peeling away her clothes, he reverently paid attention to every part of her, pressing kisses from head to toe as she shivered, partly from the chill in the air, but mainly from the wonder that was him-
Killian, the man who loved her. The man who had stumbled into her life under outrageous circumstances and now she understood she could not be without.
He was wonderful, lovely, so tender and caring-
(A few times she almost shed a tear - a happy one - because who'd have thought that Emma Swan would ever have anything like this?)
Lying back against the pillows of their bed, she indulged in his attentions. With her legs wrapped around his hips, they kissed and touched and loved- Until time seemed to tighten somehow and if she didn't have him right then she knew she would scream.
"Make love to me," she asked while cradling his face between her palms; rubbing her thumbs over the light stubble that she loved him wearing.
/
Somehow, it was like the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders.
Throughout the months he had known her, Emma has seem weighed down by some invisible burden. It pulled at the edges of her smiles. It dulled the melody of her laughter. It caused her to shrink away from any moment of happiness.
But now she seemed to float; her spirit was shining out as clearly and brightly as her now-easy smiles. It was, all at once, wonderful and beautiful and-
(He couldn't help the small swell of pride in his chest that told him he had helped her reach this point-)
And when kisses and touches were no longer sufficient, she asked him sincerely to take her.
And as he pressed her thighs apart and lay more kisses along her jaw and finally - finally - began to move inside her he was pretty damn sure that this feeling must be what they call bliss.
It was easy, gentle; without hesitation.
Their bodies rocked together in a lazy motion. He felt her toes curl as he pressed deeper inside and concentrated on the ways that would make her body sing. When their eyes met, he saw the deep pink blush on her cheeks and the the unguarded, joyful expression on her face and he knew that there would be little else in his life that would compare to these precious moments with his lovely Swan.
/
She let him take the lead.
Now wasn't the time for battles for dominance and really, it was a small way of showing him she really did trust him.
It was brief. Both were too wound up with emotion and want to need more. He made love to her slowly, but with purpose. She could see he was searching her reactions, trying to show his love in this most intimate way. So she showered him in smiles and looks and breathy moans-
"Killian," she cried when he shifted her hips and pulls their bodies closer.
And it didn't take much to push her over the edge. She gave in willingly and hopefully.
And as she clung to him as their mutual highs ring out, she finally let herself accept that this is real.
/
"Are you awake?" he whispered, one arm wrapped around her waist, their fingers entwined.
"Yeah," she replied, "I can't sleep."
"Me either," he admitted, dropping a kiss on her shoulder. He can practically feel her smile in response. "I'm too…"
And he wants to say excited… but maybe that's just a little too sentimental-
"Me too," she replies, understanding him better than maybe he knew himself.
A silence followed. Not awkward or shy. Just an easy, quiet moment where he listened to her breathing and revelled in the warmth of her skin beneath his fingers.
"So I guess Belle is going to be feeling quite proud of herself."
"I guess," he chuckled, imagining to looks on their friend's face.
"We should get them a gift for their engagement," Emma sighed as she shifted a little in his embrace. The movement released the scent of her shampoo. It was fruity and fresh and just her.
"Together?" he asked tentatively.
"Together," she confirmed, turning back her head so she could look into his eyes.
"Aye that's a good idea." Kilian ran his tongue along his bottom lip. He had something to ask her, but maybe it was too soon… "Emma, I, well I wasn't sure about asking you before but it's the faculty Christmas party next week and I was hoping-"
"I'd love to come," she promised. Quickly she turned in his arms until they were face to face, noses almost pressed together. "I would really love to come…"
He sighed happily, letting his hands rest on her hip. "It's going to be a little complicated explaining things, isn't it?"
"Do we even have to?" she began, biting her lip, "I'm still your wife, we can't just go and change that overnight."
"Paperwork," he whispered.
"Something like that," she replied.
His heart skipped a beat. "And then what happens-"
She quickly pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"And then… I guess then we play it by ear."
He smiled in relief, running his hand over her shoulder as he dropped his forehead against hers.
"I didn't think Emma Swan came in 'play it by ear' mode," he teased.
She chortled softly, placing her palm on his chest, "It's a new development," she explained. "Maybe the first of many."
As as he stole another sweet kiss, he realized just how elated he was at the prospect of all these new experiences with Emma by his side.
/
Somehow they had fallen asleep in the wee hours of the morning. They'd talked for hours, it seemed - punctuated by moments of silence and kisses and touches. They talked about mundane things like papers he had to review for class and the stack of cases that were currently waiting on her desk. But at some unknown point exhaustion had taken over.
Waking alone was a little surprising, but Emma realized his side of the bed was still warm when she reached out her hand on the sheets. She was just brushing her hair back behind her ears when he reentered the room, carrying a tray stocked with a pile of toast, freshly cut fruit and two steaming mugs of coffee.
"Morning, love," he greeted as he set down the tray, climbing onto the bed and placing another gentle kiss on her temple.
"Breakfast in bed - I could get used to this."
"And so you should," he quipped as he picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. "Nothing is too good for my wife."
Emma's stomach dropped - in the good way - at that title. It was the first time he had called her so since, well, since everything had changed.
"Yeah," she replied breathily, following his lead by selecting a slice of melon. "You're such a cheeseball," she continued, trying to disguise her emotions behind the fruit.
"And you're okay with that?" he asked, tossing her a sideways glance as she took a bite.
"You know, I really think I am."
/
He'd had this crazy worry that she would be gone when he returned from the kitchen.
Maybe he had imagined the whole thing? Maybe he'd came home alone and drank himself into a stupor with that rum that sits under the sink. Maybe he was delusional. Maybe he'd finally lost his mind-
But no, there she was, nestled beneath the snow white comforter, relaxed and beautiful as ever.
He didn't have to pinch himself to prove that this was no vision.
Emma Swan loved him, and that was all that mattered now.
/
They called in sick the next day.
And the one after that.
There was just too much that needed to made up for - not exactly lost time, but adjustments to be made and Emma was happy to indulge her selfish urges for once in her life. Giving into a few days of bliss was easier than she thought with Killian's lips whispering sweet nothings in her ear.
They ate take out and watched movies.
They took a walk in Central Park and saw the first flakes of winter snowfall.
They trawled Whole Foods together, pushing a cart like a genuine, real life couple-
(Which they were now, she had to remind herself-)
It was so strange yet so natural. Looking back, her stubborn determination to not give into her love for him seemed ridiculous now.
He was wonderful. It was wonderful being loved by him. It was like a warm comforting blanket, hugging her tight, making her feel safe and wanted - and most of all, not alone.
On the second night, he made bangers and mash. It arose from a conversation about what he missed from home in England and Emma's revelation that she had never tasted the dish. Well, Killian couldn't have that.
"And?" he asked after she had devoured a few mouthfuls.
"It's good," she admitted, until he widened his eyes, "Okay, really good."
The buzzer for the intercom chose that moment to chime.
"I'll get it," he offered, quickly pressing the call button. "Hello?"
"Delivery for apartment 3B," came the gruff reply.
"Come on up," Killian said, unlocking the door and waiting for the courier to make it up the stairs. "Are you expecting something?" he asked.
Emma shook her head, all at once confused and a little concerned.
A minute later there was a knock at the door and Killian opened it, signing on the offered clipboard before being given an envelope.
He returned to the table, sliding his thumb under the seal.
"Do you think it's…?" he asked, pausing to look deep in her eyes.
The letter.
Her heart began to race.
"Already?"
He shrugged, before continuing, quickly pulling out a sheath of crisp white paper. He was quiet as his eyes scanned the document. Emma thought her heart would burst in anticipation.
And then he smiled. A wide, bright smile that lit up his whole face.
"Killian?"
When he looked up she knew the answer without him saying. She grabbed the paper from him, quickly reading it, swallowing back the lump in her throat-
-after careful consideration…. there can be no doubt…. clearly in love… genuine relationship… recommend for immediate visa transferal-
She skipped over half the words but within seconds she had enough for her own confirmation.
It was over. The worry and the waiting-
This whole crazy idea had worked.
(In more ways than one.)
"I guess you're stuck with me now," joked Killian when she looked back up at him.
"Ditto," she laughed (slightly worried right now that her heart could possibly burst with happiness).
"You're still wearing your ring," he said unexpectedly, taking her hand in his, "I just noticed." She wrapped her fingers in his own and sighed deeply and tugged him around her her side of the table.
Her thumb ran over his ring finger.
"Yeah, I guess I am. But so are you."
Killian chuckled nervously. "I've never taken it off," he mumbled, his eyes dropping to the floor.
And the she suddenly remembered that was completely true. Somehow she'd not let herself notice, but Killian had wore that ring on his left hand every day since the ceremony at the courthouse. All through those months of uncertainty and tension and (damn) her running away from her own feelings-
She felt a lump rise in her throat.
"Killian-"
A thought formed in her mind, something she new was right and certain and true-
"Maybe you won't ever have to?" she whispered.
His hand tightened around hers as he lifted them to his lips and he placed a kiss on his mother's ring.
"Now that would be a fine dream, indeed."
Emma smiled broadly before she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and kissed him senseless.
(Yeah, she liked being able to do that now).
A/N One more chapter and then we are done. Thank you to Jenni for being an awesome beta and to everyone who has read and reviewed - you guys rock.