Welcome back. Did you miss me? This chapter has a section that skirts that T+/M line, but I have to say that I usually struggle to write sexy scenes and this one just flowed, so I hope you enjoy it.;-)
Chapter 21
July
"Emma!" Killian struggled to open the clinic door and not drop his heavy cargo.
"Killian," she teased before realizing he wasn't alone. "Who is this?" she frowned, her voice immediately turning professional.
"I don't know," he admitted. "We discovered Belle's family owned that old farmhouse and when Robin and I arrived, we found her."
Her eyes flared with surprise but without any more questions, she inclined her head, "Right this way."
He followed her into one of the treatment rooms, gently placing the patient onto the table, "What do you need me to do?" he asked quietly, trying not to startle his charge.
"She seems to trust you," Emma acknowledged with a smile. "Hold her still for me."
For several minutes, the quiet of the room was only broken when Emma gave him instructions on where to move his hands. He watched her as she worked, still a little in ahh with how comfortable she was with animals. Her movements were fluent and confident as she examined the stray dog, whose breathing continued to grow more erratic.
"She's having puppies." Emma's smiling eyes met his, "Let's make her comfortable."
With a nod, Killian picked up the dog and carried her into the back room, placing her in one of the pens. "What's she doing now?" he asked when she immediately began nosing around in the blankets.
"Creating a nest," Emma responded quietly, laying several more rags close to the new mother.
Killian chuckled, "David said Mary Margaret was already nesting. I doubt he meant it in the same way."
"Well," Emma grinned, "You never know."
"True," Killian agreed. "David's stories have been quite entertaining."
"Just wait," she began, only to press her lips together.
He'd wondered if her thoughts were in sync with his, but having it confirmed had his body hardening with need, "Doc," he breathed, reaching for her.
"Whoa," Emma placed her hand against his chest, halting his movement." You smell like dog."
"I can remedy that," he quipped, removing his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt. "Would you care to help?"
"Stop," Emma laughed. "Go take a shower."
He waggled his brows, "Join me?"
"Alone," she reiterated, taking his hand and leading him toward the door. "I'll stay with the new mama."
He gave a long-suffering sigh, stole a kiss and ran up the stairs where he wasted no time jumping in and out of the shower. Once he returned, it wasn't to his lady waiting for him, but to find a note explaining her absence.
Left to his own devices, Killian's attention returned to the Canis lupus familiaris. He knew he should sit, but he couldn't stop his need to move and found himself pacing back and forth in front of the expectant mother.
"Killian," Emma's worried voice had him running to find her standing in the middle of the kitchen. "My water broke."
The small puddle at her feet wiped every step of their plan from his mind, "What...what should I do?"
"Call the doctor and tell her it's time. I'll grab my bag." She had waddled by before he was galvanized into action.
"Killian!" Emma's voice sounded as if it was coming from far away. "Killian, it's time."
He stared at her, blinking his eyes several times to clear the vision in his head of her standing in front of him round with child, "It's time?"
"Yes." She looped her arm through his, guiding him to the old sofa across from where the dog was laying, "Watch."
Her whisper had him turning his full attention to the action in front of them. The mother dog's breathing was louder, her body straining to expel the pups. "I feel like we should be doing something," he admitted quietly.
"Like what?" Emma grinned, "Hold her paw and feed her ice chips?"
"Ha ha," he turned back to the cage just in time to see the first puppy slip from its mother's body. When the dog immediately began attending to her newborn, tears sprang to his eyes, "Words fail me, Doc."
"I know," she agreed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "It still takes my breath away and I've seen hundreds of births."
There was something in her voice that had Killian surreptitiously peering down at her. The look on her face was one of pure joy, "You love your job, don't you?"
Her laughter was light, "Yeah, I do. It doesn't feel like a job." she explained softly before turning back to watch another pup being born.
He'd known for some time that he wanted to spend the rest of his days with her but seeing her like this had him thinking of his life before. How cold it had been. "Do you remember when you asked what brought me to Storybrooke?"
"How could I forget?" Emma replied. "You ignored the question the first time, and the second..."
"I said a life was inadvertently lost because of me." he finished softly.
"Yeah," she turned toward him, draping her legs over his lap. "Are you finally ready to share those burdens, Killian?"
Was he? He took a breath, "I...I never wanted my darkness to touch you," he confessed
"Killian," she cupped his jaw, her green eyes comforting him. "I love you. That won't change."
He knew that, but even after all this time, the topic continued to be difficult. "I worked undercover while with the NYPD, you know that, right?"
"Only because Elsa told me," she admitted, making him feel like a cockwomble for not telling her himself.
"Sorry," he grimaced, "it's just..."
"Hey," Her finger covered his lips. "You don't have to..."
"Yes, I do," he barked. "I need to do this." His head dropped against her shoulder and for several minutes, he just breathed, inhaling her scent until once again he was calm. "The last case I was involved with..."
He began his story telling her that he'd been tasked to infiltrate Santora Callandra's gang and how from the beginning, the case had affected him differently. The things he'd seen and done had made him feel dirty, an uncomfortable situation at best. But, as he continued to share, the cold milling around the edges of his mind drew closer, threatening to overwhelm him. Somehow though, Emma knew what was happening and took his hand, driving the cold away. As the end of his tale grew closer, she once again anticipated what he needed, wrapping her arms around him, keeping him warm.
The longer he spoke, the farther away he seemed, and several times he had to stop and gather his words before pushing forward. "I remember it as if it was yesterday," he continued softly. "I received an anonymous tip hinting at the possibility of internal strife within the organization. But, after spending hours checking in with several informants and coming up empty, I drove home. When I stepped from my car, that sixth sense that was hyperaware when I was undercover shouted for my attention, but instead of calling for backup, I ignored the warning."
His chest grew tighter and his heart raced, "I took the stairs to the third floor two at a time and peered around the corner. As soon as I saw the hallway was empty, I sprinted toward my apartment, my gun ready. And then..."
His brain registered Violet running toward him shouting, "Killian, you'll never guess..." at the same time it processed Santora's right-hand man stepping around a corner, an AR-15 in his hands.
"No!" he screamed, diving for the little girl just as the spray of bullets flew hitting her small body, driving her into his arms. As soon as they hit the ground, he brought his gun up and around, but before he could fire, he heard pop-pop-pop and then silence.
Emma's quick inhalation brought him back to the present, "She was gone," he murmured, "and I was numb. I did my job, but once backup had arrived, I called my Lieutenant, resigned and a week later moved here. And until a flash of yellow caught my attention, I existed."
"Elli," she breathed.
"Aye, love." He kissed her slowly, his lips warming under hers, "You," he punctuated the word with a firm kiss, "made me feel."
"Oh, Killian," she cupped his face, "sometimes you take my breath away."
"Only sometimes?" he joked, never allowing her lips to completely lose contact with his.
~~~cs~~~
"Well," her twinkling eyes grew solemn, "was Santora caught?"
"Aye," he nodded, but a flash of something behind his eyes had her breath catching in her throat when he continued. "I heard a rumor," he hissed, "that his lawyers were filing a motion to have the charges dropped. If that happens..."
A shard of fear pierced her heart, "But you're here," she tightened her arms, "and safe...right?"
"I'm safe, Emma," he promised, tugging her back
against his chest and tucking his chin on her shoulder.
Dozens of questions floated in and out of her head, but with Killian wrapped around her holding her tightly and new life in front of her, she let it go. Tomorrow, she decided, there is always tomorrow.
Hours later, fresh from a shower, Emma was nursing her second cup of coffee while Killian dressed for the day. They had been dating for seven months, she'd seen him with his gun, but she hadn't given much thought to the life or death reality. But watching him slip into his shoulder holster as easily as he would his shirt brought her thoughts to a screeching halt. If it hadn't been for that little girl...
What kind of person are you to be happy that someone else had died? the voice screamed.
Tears sprang to her eyes as she didn't know how to answer that question. Be happy it wasn't him and the life of another was lost. Wish it were different and he...
"Hey, hey," Killian tugged her up and into his arms. "You can't think like that."
Emma relaxed, her nose automatically burying into the soft skin at the base of his neck, "Open book?" she guessed.
"Aye." He kissed the tip of her nose then leaned his forehead against hers. "Emma," the huskiness in his voice had her opening her eyes to see a variety of emotions swimming in his. "I've...I've thought the same things you're thinking now, but it doesn't change what happened." He kissed her and the fine tremor in his lips shook her more than she was willing to acknowledge.
She could taste the hazelnut flavor from his coffee on his tongue and smell the mintiness of his toothpaste. But those were external and not what made him special. Nor were they important to them as a couple. The way he made her heart trip, made her knees weak and her pulse race were what mattered. "I'm sorry," she sighed. "Seeing you slip on your gun just made it real. Logically, I know you're right. Emotionally, well..."
"I know, love." He tightened his hold on her. "I'm here."
"I love you." She kissed his throat. "I'll be okay."
When he stepped back and his blue eyes delved into her green ones, she fought to maintain control. The more she loved, the harder that became. When he held out his hand and asked, "Walk me down?" her whole body relaxed, knowing that he was willing to wait until she was ready to share.
"Definitely," she grinned taking his hand to follow him.
"I'll call you later," he promised, swooping in for a kiss.
Emma's breath caught in her throat and she wasn't sure what came over her. She knew he needed to leave, but the spark that had been fanned upstairs suddenly ignited.
His lips consumed hers and with a groan, he backed her against the wall. Was it the roughness of his jacket pressing against her unbound chest or the cool air blowing under her robe and across her bare nether regions that sent her want spiraling? She didn't know and she didn't care. His story of life and death was too real. She needed to know that he was alive. Needed him to make her feel alive.
One of Killian's hands settled against the bare skin of her lower back. His fingers kneaded her tense muscles. And with every brush of his pinky sliding back and forth between her ass cheeks, the tingles spread farther and farther.
Not to be outdone, his other hand parted her robe, baring her breast for his exploration. Pinching, sliding, cupping, his fingers molded, stroked and circled the tip until her nipple stood firm, waiting for what came next.
In the back of her mind, Emma's lone functioning brain cell shouted, lawsey, it's a good thing Leroy hadn't worked overnight. But then her earlobe was sucked into the hot cavern of his mouth, weakening her resolve and her knees.
The fact that Ruby was going to be late arriving floated through her mind, releasing her last hesitation. A tug of Killian's shirt allowed her hands to find skin. His back was warm, the muscles smooth and supple beneath her fingers.
He released her earlobe to nibble across her cheekbone, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine. A kiss on one corner of her mouth. Another on her chin before his tongue joined to lave down one side of her trachea, stopping to feast on the skin at the base of her throat.
Emma moaned, his name sounding like a prayer as he slid lower. "Look at me," he commanded, nipping the side of her breast.
She forced her eyes open, meeting his, dark with need. Watch me, they seemed to say. Involuntarily, her chest pushed forward, seeking and encouraging his descent. When Killian latched on, Emma's thoughts shut down and all she could do was feel.
A flick of his tongue. A stroke of his finger. His lips and hands were everywhere and nowhere and with every touch, her desire grew. The feelings quickly became too intense, too big and she needed more. She pushed him back far enough to rip open the button on his jeans.
"Careful love," Killian murmured.
Emma heard the rasp of his zipper and with a few creative moves, he gave her exactly what she needed; him. She ignored the creaking of the building as it settled around them. No attention was given to the roughness of the wall behind her. Her only focus was on him and the places where they were touching. The place where they were connected.
"I love you," he emphasized with every movement of his body.
There was no holding back and before she was ready for it to end, Killian hit just the perfect spot and stars exploded in front of her eyes. "That's it, love," he shouted, meeting her in that hazy aftermath.
Emma wrapped herself around Killian, holding on as shudders continued to work their way through her system, "That was..."
"A bloody lovely way to start the day," Killian quipped.
"I agree, but," she giggled, relaxing her hold, allowing her feet to once again touch the ground. "It," she began only to be interrupted by the doorbell.
"Who the bloody hell is that?" Killian barked, tucking himself back into his jeans.
"Shh" Emma worked to retie her robe with shaking hands. "Killian, I can't..."
"Calm down, Doc." Killian kissed her cheek, "Go. I'll get the door."
Emma didn't argue, her shaky legs carrying her into the small powder room. She leaned against the closed door, her breathing still rapid, her body still tingling from their coupling. What had come over her?
Well, duh, Killian, the voice whispered.
"Not quite over me," she giggled, grabbing a washcloth. But there was still no disguising that the woman in the mirror had been well and thoroughly loved. The bee-stung lips and whisker burns on her neck and chest gave it away. "And I still wear his smell," she murmured, running a brush through her hair before opening the door, ready to find out who rang the bell.
Once she left the safety of the powder room, Emma could hear the distinct vibrations of two voices. Killian's was easy, but the other one, while it sounded familiar, it couldn't be placed.
"I'm sorry to just show up like this," the visitor explained. "I left several messages on Emma's phone to let me know if today wasn't good."
Left messages on her phone? Her phone! She mentally slapped her forehead. While waiting for the new mom to have her puppies, her phone had died, and she had plugged it in to charge. And left it in her office.
Okay, let's just hope it's not a vendor, she thought, tugging the belt on her robe a little tighter before rounding the corner.
"There you are, love," Killian stepped forward, taking her hand.
Emma's thoughts scattered from, oh crap, not a vendor to what do I do? "Dad!" she settled on, holding onto Killian. "I'm sorry...we, uh, were up all night with a patient."
A corner of her father's mouth curved up, amused at the situation, "I can go if it's not a good time."
Her eyes flew to Killian's, but whether she was asking for help or not, she wasn't sure, "No...that's okay. I have a few patients to see today." She wasn't sure why she'd thrown that out there, but after she did, she was anxious to hear her father's response.
Peter grinned, almost with anticipation, she thought, "The chance to see you in action?" he repeated, one brow arched in question.
"Well, it's not that exciting," Emma began.
"She's being modest, Sir," Killian interrupted. "Emma is a wonderful veterinarian.
"Thank you," she smiled shyly at her champion before turning back to her father. "You're welcome to stay," she confirmed. And actually, having the animals around might ease the tension that she could already feel inside.
"I'd like that," Peter admitted. "In fact, since I interfered with your morning routine, is there something I could do to help?"
Her father wanted to help with the animals. Pinged from one side of her brain to the other, "Well," but what could she ask him to do?
"Doc," Killian's soothing voice helped her along. "Why don't you go get dressed and I'll show your father your clinic. Alright?"
Since Killian had volunteered, Emma decided he wasn't too concerned with being questioned. Plus, if she were honest with herself, she needed the time to regroup, "Thanks, Killian." She kissed him quickly and with a smile, and an "I won't be long," to her father ran up to her apartment.
After hurrying through her morning routine, Emma descended the stairs to hear her father speaking to someone. Initially, she thought he was talking with Ruby, but then she realized he was on the phone.
"I arrived about an hour ago, Ari," the tone of Peter's voice was tender, leading Emma to realize he was talking to his wife, Ariel.
His laugh was low, "They didn't expect me."
"I got the impression I walked in on something," he answered in response to a question he had been asked.
"She's beautiful," he answered.
"I'll let you know," he promised his wife. "I love you."
The small snippet of the conversation had Emma wondering about Ariel. In their email exchanges, Peter had invited her to fly to Washington, but she'd always made excuses. Too busy. Poor weather. Sick animals. But the truth was she was chicken. Unsure about the dynamics. Ava said she had made peace with Peter but had she also made peace with Peter's new wife? It was unfamiliar territory for her.
As soon as it was quiet for several seconds, Emma stepped into the room housing her overnight guests. "It looks like you've made a friend."
Peter was sitting on the floor scratching Millicent's back, watching the mother dog nurse her puppies. "Yours, I presume?"
"Yes, meet Millicent." Emma laughed at the disgruntled look on the cat's face when Peter stood up. "She thinks she runs the place."
"I get that," he acknowledged. "We have several who behave the same way."
"Really?" Emma frowned as the comment reiterated just how little she knew of her dad's likes.
"Ariel collects strays," he admitted absently making Emma think he was referring to more than just the four-legged kind.
"I'd like to meet her sometime," was out before she had really formulated the thought. But once out there, Emma realized it was something she meant.
Her father's face split into a big grin, "She'd really like to meet you too."
Their eyes locked, both understanding the step that had been taken with the admission. Emma wasn't sure how long they stood there before Peter cleared his throat, "Killian," his brow arched, a smirk full of curiosity upon his lips, "showed me what to do."
"Oh?" Emma glanced around the room, where besides the mother dog and her litter, there was only Boomer, a pampered pug who was in a corner cage giving her a pitiful look.
"Yes," he nodded, a pleased expression crossing his face. "I checked your messages, which are on your desk. And I walked the new mom. That one," he pointed to the pug, "wouldn't let me near the cage."
Emma rolled her eyes, "Oh, brother." Since Boomer recognized her, he allowed her to clip a leash on and they left the building. When they started walking, she could tell that Peter was just as unsure as she. But slowly, her father asked a question, and another one. About her business, her friends, Storybrooke, each making her feel like he was trying to get to know her.
When Boomer decided he had walked enough, he sat, expecting the humans to sit with him. Emma laughed, finally capitulating and sat down on a flat rock. Her father squatted next to her, scratching the dog's ears, "He's spoiled."
"I can see that," Peter agreed, squinting up at her in the morning sun.
The more she learned about his life, she kept thinking she should feel envious, wishing that she was on the receiving end of his attention. Yet, it never came. "Do you ever wish you could have a do-over?" she asked him quietly. "Have a chance to change things your life?"
Peter didn't say anything for several seconds, but when he turned his blue eyes her direction, she knew he was speaking from a place of conviction. "Emma," he sighed, "I would assume that everyone who reaches their forties or fifties wishes they could go back and undo a stupid move or two. But...you change one thing..."
"And you change the person you are," she finished.
"Yes." He sent her a lopsided grin, "I'm in a really good place and from what I can see, you are too."
Emma blinked several times, working to clear her vision, "You're right," she stood, brushing off her jeans. "I am."
"I thought so." His smile turned devilish, "On the way back, you can tell me about Killian."
"Dad," She huffed, realizing her exasperation was partly pretense. "Are you really going there?"
"Shall I ask him his intentions?"
The look on his face made her wonder if he was serious or if it was his way of teasing. Either way, it felt nice, "Dad!"
~~~cs~~~
Killian had driven back and forth in front of his destination several times before he got up the nerve to park. He wasn't sure why he was anxious, but as soon as the engine powered down, his heart raced, his hands shook, and a fine sheen of perspiration covered his forehead. "Bloody hell." He stepped from the car and glanced up at the sign in front of him. "Who knew shopping could be so difficult?
Joanne's Gems was a small out of the way place that he'd been inside of once, with Robin. It was several months before Emma moved to Storybrooke, but he remembered being impressed by the owner. He had been an older gentleman with twinkling brown eyes who teased Robin about being in the doghouse. Killian had appreciated the way he had made the customers feel at ease. But his positive memories didn't make it any easier to open the door.
Are you sure this is what you want? Hell, yes, it was what he wanted, but then why was he so nervous?
"Can I help you?"
He wasn't sure what he expected when he turned in response to the husky voice, but the woman standing in the doorway wasn't it. "I..." Killian swallowed in an attempt to moisten his lips, "I'm here to buy a ring." flew out of his mouth sounding more like one long word instead of six.
"Oh, that's wonderful," she exclaimed clapping her hands together. "Come in, come in. I'm Joanne, by the way, and you are?"
"Killian, Killian Jones," he found himself answering as his feet moved of their own volition.
"And your intended?"
He wasn't used to relative strangers asking such personal questions, but somehow when he looked into Joanne's eyes, he felt she was trustworthy, "Emma," he grinned as a picture of her blossomed in his head. "Emma Swan."
"Oh, Doctor Swan," Joanne exclaimed. "She's such a lovely girl. My little Dolly just adores her. Last time I was there, I took home my Tiger. He's a little spitfire."
"You adopted Tiger?" Killian chuckled at her description thinking how apt it was with his two also. "I have two of his siblings."
"How wonderful," Joanne stepped behind one of the counters. "What are their names?"
It took him several seconds to comprehend the question, "Trudi and Nina," he finally muttered, his eyes trying to take in everything in front of him. "How do I know" he frowned at Joanne, "which one is right?"
She patted his hand, "Don't you worry, Dear. I've been married over fifty years and will help you pick the perfect one for your Emma."
Fifty years with Emma, floated through his mind as Joanne continued to explain diamonds. Once he'd relaxed, Killian found it easier than he'd imagined. He asked questions and tried to picture certain styles on his love's finger. In the end, the process was painless to everything but his wallet and he was ready to leave.
He'd almost made it to the door when his head began to swim and dropping down onto a sofa, he opened the ring box. "Is that what I think it is?" Ruby's question had him shutting the box so quickly, his finger would never be the same.
"Bloody hell, Ruby," Killian groused. "You shouldn't sneak up on a man like that."
"Sorry," she chuckled. "I'll ask again. Is that for Emma?"
"Who else would I be shopping for?" He mocked. "Of course, it's for Emma. Do you think she'll say yes?"
"Oh please," she comforted him. "She loves you. She'll say yes."
Killian grinned, feeling as if an invisible burden had just been lifted from his shoulders, "I hope so."
"I know so," she assured him. "When are you going to ask?"
Could he trust Ruby to keep a few secrets? He'd have to as he needed help with the details.
~~~cs~~~
Her day with her father shadowing her every move had gone better than she'd expected. He knew how to take direction, when to ask questions and when to be quiet. And he was a really good listener, which probably helped when working with teenagers all day. But as the day wore on, she'd noticed that he had been careful to stay hidden. Which, in a way, was a behavior that she hadn't expected since the man from her childhood had adored attention. However, since their walk, Boomer had decided Peter was his newest friend and refused to leave her father's side, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Emma eyed Peter expectantly, "I can just as easily bring his owner back here."
"No, I'll be fine," Peter explained. "I just didn't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"Me?" Emma frowned, "Why? Because someone might recognize you?"
He switched his weight from one leg to the other, appearing ill at ease with the topic, "It's been a long time, and," he grimaced, "this is your place of business."
"We'll be fine," she assured him. "I'll let you grab his highness and I'll get his medication."
Peter gave her a look that said, 'well, if you're sure' before picking up Boomer and proceeding with her to the waiting room.
As soon as they stepped through the door, Emma realized she should have talked to Ruby. But since she had come in late and her father arrived early, the opportunity hadn't presented itself. Now, she understood the knowing looks flying her way all day. Those, 'I've got a secret,' 'I can't wait to share' ones that had you looking over your shoulder waiting for something unexpected.
It wasn't her surprise she'd needed to worry about, she learned, but her father's. Her waiting room held not just Boomer's owner, Alisa Stevens, but two of her friends, Mary and Ruby's mother, Anita. Peter's reaction was interesting because as she watched, he became the man she remembered from her youth. He stood a little taller, his stride became a little looser, and his smile seemed less sincere, "Hello, I'm P..."
"Dax Blue," Alisa and Mary screamed at the same time.
"We couldn't believe it when Anita called," Mary began.
"—To tell us you were here," Alisa added.
"Ruby," Emma groaned, "you didn't."
"Sorry," Ruby mouthed, giving a small shrug. "I never expected."
"Alisa," Emma waded back into the group. "I need to give you instructions." She held up Boomer's medication, hoping the dog's well-being would take precedence.
"Oh," Alisa waved, "just write it down. You know my memory."
Peter's eyes met hers over the top of the women's heads. 'See. I tried to warn you,' they seemed to say.
"I'm sorry, Emma," Ruby conceded. "If you only knew how many times my mother has seen the original Dax Blue movie. I wanted her to meet her idol."
"It's okay," Emma sighed. "He seems to have it under control."
She quickly wrote out instructions for Boomer's care and then leaned back to observe. The man who was standing in her waiting room was the same man she saw when she was paraded around as a child. He was charming, charismatic, engaging, having developed a way to make everyone feel special. But after spending just a few hours with him, she realized he was wearing a mask.
"Hot, Hunky, Gorgeous," Ruby murmured, staring at the group.
"Yuck, Ruby," Emma mumbled. "That's my father and I certainly don't want my father and Killian described the same way."
Ruby smirked, "Sexy?"
Emma grimaced, but then tried to look at him objectively. Thick, still blond hair, bright blue eyes and a chiseled chin complete with a dimple. She'd give Ruby handsome, beyond that...she wasn't willing to consider.
Several minutes later, he was waving goodbye to his fans and sagging against the counter. "I'm sorry about that, honey." he confided. "Sometimes these things still happen."
"Thank you for being nice to my mother, Peter," Ruby smiled. "If I would have known it was going to be all three..."
"No worries," he winked. "Maybe a head's up next time."
His blue-eyed stare had Ruby's mouth dropping open. "Will wonders never cease," Emma laughed. "I believe you've rendered my office manager speechless."
"Oh, poo," Ruby huffed, her face still red. "I'm just..."
Peter exchanged a conspiratorial grin with her, causing Emma's breath to lodge in her throat, but the cause wasn't his sex-appeal. It was the knowledge that reading each other's minds was something that occurred within families. She...they had come far.
~~~cs~~~
When his phone buzzed, Killian indicated he would be right back and stepped from The Knick Knack Shoppe, "Miss me, Doc?" He teased, his voice husky with emotion.
"Of course, I miss you," she assured him. "But I'm calling about my father."
"Your father?" The short time he'd spent with Peter Swan, he'd found him quite pleasant. And Emma didn't sound upset or mad...more distracted. "What about him?
"Well," she chuckled, easing his worry. "He still has groupies and..." While she was telling him the story of her father surrounded by several women, hanging onto his every word, Killian had a flash of David calling the women he dated before Emma his groupies. As an unattached male, he had welcomed the attention, but now that he was very much involved, just the thought made him uncomfortable. Peter was married, therefore...
"Alright, love," Killian teased. "If I have to, I'm willing to throw myself on the mercy of your father's groupies."
"Oh, stop," she laughed. "You know exactly what I mean."
"Aye," he acknowledged. "What's my reward?"
He heard her breath catch, "What do you want?"
Everything and anything, he thought, "You know that thing you do with your talented mouth?" Her hum was low, sexy, making him wish she was standing right in front of him. "That's what I want."
Her promise of, "I think that can be arranged," had his face lighting with a goofy grin.
"Good," he declared, his eyes already searching the shops along the pier. "I'll be looking forward to my reward."
With images in his head of Emma looking up at him as he was rewarded, Killian sauntered up the walk toward Les Patisserie. A rather large group of women were congregated outside the shop, several of their faces pressed against the window. The squeals and screams had him comparing them to a gaggle of geese, but somehow, he suspected these women wouldn't be as easy to get to scatter.
"Granny," Killian snagged the older woman's arm, separating her from the others. "Do I even want to know?"
"It's Dax Blue," Granny squealed. "We're hoping for an autograph."
A collective gasp from the group had her tugging her arm free to rush forward. She shoved her way in between Paula and Krystal, each vying for the best position. His flirt may be rusty but there were times it was needed he decided. "Did I miss the sale?" he murmured into Krystal's right ear.
"What?" she screamed backing away from the glass. "Oh, Investigator Jones. How could you?" She stomped her foot, "Now, you've made me lose my place."
"Look," he began before a screech from someone in the front had the group moving forward collectively. Killian was roughly shoved out of the way, barely catching Paula as she was knocked over. "Bloody hell!" he spit out, placing two fingers in his mouth, whistling loudly.
"Oh," Paula groaned.
"Ouch," Patti scowled.
"That was mean," Krystal grunted. "We want to speak to Dax Blue."
"Ladies," he sent each of them a hard stare. "I'm aware that man played Dax Blue approximately thirty years ago, but today," his voice softened, "he's Peter Swan, Emma's father."
Several conversational exchanges between the group threatened to grow out of control, "I need to speak to Emma's father," he continued, allowing the exact nature as to what he needed to say hang in the air.
The sudden quiet was music to his ears. Krystal's eyes met his, "Oh?"
"Aye," he nodded once, glancing into the shop to see Peter sitting alone at a table, his back to the window. "Now, if you ladies will excuse me?"
"Good luck," Granny winked.
"Thank you," Killian smiled at the women as they filed past him. He'd been counting the number of rewards his girl owed him and suddenly it felt as if someone pinched him. When he looked over his shoulder Krystal winked. "I deserve hazard pay," he mumbled yanking the door open.
Emma's father was sitting on the far side of the room, his back to the door. Killian's sympathy went out to the man. He had come to Storybrooke to see his daughter and because of a 'job' year's ago, he was hiding. "Emma sent me to rescue you," Killian whispered, sliding into the chair across the table.
"Just like you rescued her?" Peter's blue eyes met his and for a split second, Killian saw the blue-eyes of a dark-headed teen girl staring defiantly back at him.
"Whoa, Mate," Killian blinked rapidly clearing his vision, "you've got it wrong. It was she who rescued me."
"That's not how she tells it," Peter confessed, making Killian wonder what had been said. "I just want her to be happy."
"I love your daughter," Killian admitted quietly, surprising himself with how much he was willing to share.
"And she loves you."
"Aye," Killian acknowledged. "I'm not asking for your permission, but I'm going to marry your daughter." When Peter smiled, Killian's whole body relaxed. It wasn't as if he needed Emma's father's blessing, but now that he had it, there were plans to be made.
~fin
Thoughts? Ready for the finale? I know some of you already know, but I am planning on doing some tweaking with this story and looking to publish. I also have plans on turning it into a series and Book 2 and Book 3 are being set up in Book 1. I'd love to have you follow me as I make the transition and see where it goes.
If you would like to follow my journey on social media, I can be found on several platforms. Tumblr - sophiabartow Instagram SophiaBartow Twitter sophiebartow Facebook search for Sophie Bartow Author and on Pinterest Sophie Bartow. Storybrooke is becoming a town called Swan Harbor and you will see a banner on each site.
My goal is still to post the final chapter next week. Fingers crossed that I am able to finish it.