Happy Mermaid Day! (I hope you're all still alive after everything that's been going on in Paris!)
There's only one more chapter after this—ahh! Thank you all so much for your support & kind words through this!
The next morning came entirely too soon for either of their liking. Killian was awoken not by the sun's rays shining directly on him, but by the fidgeting of the form to his side.
"Good morning, my love," he whispered into her hair and pressed a kiss on the top of her head.
"Mmm, good morning," she said tiredly as she stretched and squinted. "Is this always how you wake up?"
"With a beautiful lass in my arms? Afraid not." She giggled. "But I hope to make it a habit."
"I like the sound of that." She stared into his eyes with a look of want, happiness, and love, and found his lips for a very long moment. She promptly curled back into his side, burying her head in his shoulder and placing her hand over his heart. "Ugh, I don't want to go back up there," she whined as she traced the outline of his swan tattoo. "It's so relaxing down here."
He swallowed. As thrilled as he was to hear that, he knew that she couldn't stay away from Henry and her parents for long. "I'm happy to hear you say that, Swan; but I know you, and I know you'd miss your family. Especially Henry."
She sighed. "I know. But…" She trailed off before propping herself up on her elbow to look down at him. "But I don't want to pull you away from where you're supposed to be."
He was taken aback—she thinks I'm meant to be down here? "My love, the only place I'm supposed to be—the only place I want to be—is at your side, wherever that may be." He grasped her hand in his to drive home the point, but she didn't look convinced.
"Killian, are you sure? I can see how natural it is for you to be down here. You love it."
"Emma," he said firmly, making sure she was looking in his eyes. "I love you. And I want to be part of your world; I've had my fair share of mine." He reached up to cup her cheek. "I told you, love: you're my happy ending."
She finally smiled back, looking almost relieved. "Okay." The way the sunlight glowed off her flowing hair made her look entirely ethereal; paired with her beautiful smile, there was no way he could resist kissing her. He pulled her in, slow at first, but then eager to express all his adoration, hope, and love for her. It finally wasn't a spur-of-the-moment expression of emotion, but a promise for the future.
When they eventually broke apart, she kept her forehead pressed against his. "I'm going to talk to Regina today about fixing your cuff," she said softly.
"Sounds like an excellent plan, love."
"But I'm going to hold on to mine."
"Even better."
Reluctantly, they left the kelp bed (he hoped for the last time) and slowly swam up to the surface. They both perched on the rock, and Emma was happy to see that her clothes were still there, albeit a bit wet with morning dew. ("Nothing my magic can't handle," she said with a smile and wave of her hand.) Gently, she slid the cuff off her wrist; he watched in awe as her tail glowed and split back into legs.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, thinking back to his own painful transformation.
"No; it tingles a bit, but otherwise feels fine. Why?"
"I'm relieved, then; I cannot say the same, but perhaps it's because mine was of a more permanent nature."
Her brow furrowed in concern, and she placed a kiss on his forehead, despite the way she was shivering in the morning coolness.
"Get dressed, Emma."
"What, don't you enjoy the view?" she stammered out from chattering teeth.
"I've seen you frozen enough for one lifetime, love." She could only smirk back as she put her clothes back on and hummed to herself.
"Ugh, I swear—I'm going to have The Little Mermaid stuck in my head forever now," she complained as she pulled her jeans on.
"What's that, love?"
"It's a movie. Actually," she paused, looking at him. "We're kind of living it."
"Another thing to show me on the Netflix?" he guessed.
"Yeah," she chuckled as she pulled her shirt on. Once she finally got her jacket and boots back on, she looked much more comfortable, and he could breathe easy knowing she was warm.
She sat back down next to him, running her hand over his shoulder and arm. She was smiling, but there was a hint of sadness to it.
"What is it, Swan?"
Her smile ticked up at one corner. "This might be the last time I leave you here in the cove."
"I'd think that's a good thing; wouldn't you?"
"Yeah; but some parts of this have been nice."
"Aye. But there are many more ahead of us."
She hummed her agreement and leaned in for one last peck. "Stay tuned," she whispered.
He didn't quite know what that phrase meant, but he said he would.
As he watched her walk back to her vessel, the thought that he'd soon be joining her back on land replaced any sadness he felt at her departure.
He dove back into the sea when she was out of sight, making one last round of his underwater home before he was reunited with his true love.
Emma hated to leave, especially after all that had just happened between them, but knowing that he'd be back on two legs soon enough was her motivation. She called Regina as soon as she got back to the Bug and made a plan to meet in her vault.
But first, she needed a moment to collect herself. Sitting in the comfort of her car, she expected to finally have a freak-out about what she'd said. I told him I love him.
And he said it back.
And we're true love.
But she didn't lose it. She didn't want to run. She wasn't compelled to push away or hide. For the first time in a long time (though not as long as it's been for him), she felt confident about love for someone other than Henry. More than confident—happy, truly happy. The grin that took over her face couldn't be stopped, and maybe a few happy tears were shed. She wiped her cheeks dry as she shifted into gear, eager for whatever was to come.
Regina's vault didn't give Emma the creeps as much as it used to, though whether it was due to the fact that Regina didn't rely on dark magic anymore or due to having been in Gold's even creepier workshop, she wasn't sure. She double checked her pockets to make sure she still had the cuff, and the golden-blue scales that Killian had given her a while ago.
Regina was waiting by a small cauldron over something resembling a bunsen burner.
"Is this potions class, Professor Snape?"
"Very funny, Miss Swan." I really can't wait for the day she can take a joke. "Do you have what you were supposed to bring?"
"Yup," Emma replied as she pulled out the cuff and scales, placing them on the table next to the cauldron. Regina already had vials of sea water and the Agrabah sand, and Belle was bringing the tadpole legs.
Before too long of an awkward silence, Emma spoke up. "Thank you for helping with this, Regina; and I know Killian thanks you, too."
Regina was silent for a moment, fiddling with the cauldron, but then looked up. "This is probably going to sound strange, coming from me, but...it's my pleasure."
She was right; that did sound strange. But before Emma could comment (or close her mouth that had fallen open in surprise), Regina continued. "I'm...happy for you, Emma. Despite all the outside forces—mine included—you found your family and you found love—true love. If that's not a happy ending, I don't know what is."
Emma's cheeks grew red, but she couldn't deny the truth of what Regina was saying. Until a nagging prick of guilt reminded her of how Regina's own situation.
"I'm sorry that all this craziness prevented us from finding the author and from finding your happy ending. You deserve it, too, Regina."
"Actually, I kind of did." The queen's reply shocked her.
"You did?"
"Yes. I realized over the past few weeks that, with everything I've been doing with you and your family, and the rest of Storybrooke, I had become part of something much bigger than myself. And, truthfully, that was all I needed." She paused, shaking her head. "I just got so tired of standing in the way of my own happiness, and I'm not going to do it anymore."
Emma smiled. "I'm proud of you." In the past, Regina would have glared or stated that she didn't need Emma's pride; but now, she only smiled gently, clearly proud of herself as well.
An unusual sense of calm settled over the women in what seemed to be the start of an actual friendship; the peace was only interrupted by the sound of heels against the vault's stone steps as Belle arrived and the subsequent reminder to get down to business.
"Looks like potions class—" Belle started, but stopped when she saw Regina's glare. "Oookay then; what do we need to do?"
"You: read," Regina said tersley, wasting no time in handing the merfolk book to Belle. "Emma, I'll need your help with the spell."
Belle listed off what Regina needed to do with the ingredients—grinding, pouring, stirring, sprinkling. (Emma winced a tiny bit when the scales were crushed.) It resulted in a soupy mixture at the bottom of the cauldron.
"Alright now, Emma, this is where you come in," Belle said. "You need to get the cuff to absorb the potion."
She squinted a bit in confusion. "What, just throw it in there until it soaks it up?"
Belle skimmed over the text quickly before pushing it in front of Emma. "Read here; it says what you need to do."
Emma was getting better at understanding the old language in most of these books, and thankfully this one was fairly straightforward. She read it twice, to be safe, before picking up the cuff and placing it in the cauldron. Careful not to touch it, as the book said that could ruin the spell, she held her hand over it and closed her eyes in concentration. She envisioned the cuff soaking up the brew and immediately felt the familiar prick of her magic as it began to work. Finally daring to open her eyes, she could see that it was working: the liquid in the basin was decreasing rapidly and the cuff was taking on a bluish glow. It didn't take long for the cauldron to be dry.
She hesitated a bit before reaching in. "Does it need to set or anything?"
Belle glanced at the page again. "No, you should be good."
Slowly, she dropped her hand in and pulled out the cuff; the enchantment was positively radiating from it. "Wow," was all she could say.
"Best not keep your merman waiting," Regina said with a friendly smirk. That will take some getting used to, Emma thought regarding this new, upbeat Regina (but she was happy for it).
"Thank you again, Regina." She started to leave, but then turned back around. "Do either of you want to come?"
"I'd love to!" Belle exclaimed, but Regina shook her head. "I'm going to clean up and then meet with Henry. But let me know how it goes."
"Will do." With that, she and Belle practically ran from the vault back to the Bug.
Emma fished the shell out of her pocket. "Hey, Killian?"
Barely a moment passed before he responded. "What is it, Swan?"
"Meet me at the docks in 15 minutes."
Of course, he was already there when they arrived. Emma and Belle rushed to the end of the dock where he was seated, and she greeted him a with a quick kiss after he said his hellos to the two of them.
"Well?" he asked, excitement shining in his eyes.
Emma smiled and reached into her pocket to pull out the cuff. The magic in it seemed even stronger in his presence, and his uncharacteristic shudder suggested he could feel it, too.
"You ready?"
"Aye."
"Ok." She moved to place it on his wrist, but then remembered what her mom said—only the person who puts it on can take it off, so she hesitated.
"What is it, love?"
"You have to put it on. Hold on." She glanced at his hook; it looked like the cuff might fit inside. So she grabbed it and pulled it close, despite his sound of protest. It fit perfect. "Ok, there you go."
There was a touch of hurt in his eyes when he looked at her. "Why do I have to do it?"
"Because you might want to take it off when I'm not around." She knew Ruby enjoyed stretching her wolf legs when the time was right, so she knew he'd want to revisit the sea from time to time (as she did, too). And she wouldn't be the one to hold him back from that.
He seemed to understand, but went on to say, "Emma, I doubt I'll much want to leave your side once this is on, if it works. But if it makes you feel better, I'll do it." She nodded.
He stared at the cuff for a second, as if he was studying it, then glanced back up at Emma, then Belle. Then, slowly, he brought it over to his right wrist and twisted it on.
The same glow that had engulfed Emma's lower half when she put on her cuff took over his tail. All three stared in wonder, waiting for the light to dissipate and for what it would reveal.
It seemed to take forever, but it finally dimmed, leaving behind Killian's strong, slender legs. He immediately reached up to Emma's face and dragged her in for a celebratory kiss. "You're a marvel, love. You, too, Belle," he shouted back to where the librarian stood, reaching out to squeeze her hand. Emma wasn't sure she'd ever seen him grin bigger or for longer, and she giggled a bit as he kicked his legs back and forth like a little kid.
Until he realized just how bare his legs were, as was the rest of him, and he shrunk back, embarrassed.
"Oh, um, I'm afraid I'm a bit indecent, lasses," he stammered out, staring down bashfully and scratching behind his ear. Belle chuckled behind a hand, but Emma just shook her head and conjured a large towel that she began to wrap around him. She wished she'd made it thicker when he began shivering, but she had an idea to warm him up, and maybe do a little more celebrating.
Ever helpful, Belle chimed in. "Do you want me to go fetch some blankets from the car or…" But she trailed off after seeing the glimmer in Emma's eye. "Actually, I should probably head home," she said with a knowing smirk.
"Thanks again for your help, Belle," Killian said, despite his shaking.
"You're absolutely welcome, Killian. It's nice to see you on legs again." She squeezed his shoulder before leaving.
Once Belle was off the dock and headed for town, Emma helped Killian stand—he was a bit shaky after so long at sea. "Guess you need to get your land legs back."
"Perhaps. I think having a beautiful woman at my side helps," he said with a wink.
They made their way up the dock, a bit slowly, with their arms wrapped around each other. He began to head to the Bug, but she tugged him back toward her. "Swan?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
"Well, you're cold, aren't you?"
"Yes, which is why I'd much like to get back to my warm room at Granny's."
She looked up at him from under her lashes, hoping he could see the fire in her eyes. "I bet I know a way to get you warmed up faster, and we can do it right on the Jolly Roger," she said, gesturing to the ship beside them.
"Is that so?" he said in a heavy tone. His tongue darted across his lower lip as he stared down at her, eyes suddenly flashing hungry. "Lead the way, love."
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts!