3 weeks later…
Belle let out a sigh as she left the lecture hall from Columbia. Her presentation on the honours program had gone well, considering she had only the last minute to prepare. A speaker had backed out only two days ago and the department had asked Belle to fill in the spot. She had been hesitant to say yes, but Regina had felt that a trip away would do her some good.
"Belle, is that you?" An older red-headed woman approached her.
Belle immediately recognised her "Helen! What are you doing here?" She certainly hadn't expected to see Killian's mother at Columbia.
"Well, apart from the fact I still work here, I wanted to see the presentations. It was a great speech."
"Thank you." She said shyly.
"How are you, Belle? Killian told me what happened when he came back home. I'm so sorry."
"It's ok, Helen." Said Belle as she shuffled her feet. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Killian."
"Even so." Said Helen. "No-one should have to go through that."
Belle nodded, not sure what to say. She absently fiddled with the silver bangles around her wrists that were doing a good job of hiding her still-fresh scars.
"We're having a little family dinner tonight, it would be great if you would come." Said Helen.
"Oh, I'm not sure about that. I don't want to intrude."
"Nonsense." Said Helen as she scribbled the address down on a piece of paper. "You could never intrude. I'm sure Killian would love to see you."
"I-I haven't called him to let him know I was here." Belle said carefully. "I wasn't sure."
Helen chuckled. "Then you're both as bad as each other. Be there at six, we eat early so the twins can get to bed."
0000
Belle was greeted at the door of Liam and Elsa's apartment by Helen and two very excited-looking twins.
"Hi Belle, thanks for coming." Said Helen warmly.
"Hi Belle, I'm Anna, and this is Kristoff!" Anna piped up.
"It's lovely to meet you, I have presents for you both." Said Belle, as she opened her bag and handed the parcels to the twins. They shrieked as the unwrapped their new books.
"What do you say?" Prompted Helen.
"Thank you!" The twins both shouted at the top of their lungs as they raced back towards the kitchen.
"Well, clearly you're a hit with the twins." Said Helen. "Killian will be here in a while, he's still wrapping things up at work."
Belle nodded. As she entered the tiny kitchen, she was greeted by Liam and Elsa warmly.
"It's so nice to meet you." Said Elsa.
"Likewise. Your children are adorable."
"Thank you." Said Elsa. "We'll be having two more in 5 months, I'm not sure how that's going to go."
"We'll manage. Even if we have to put bunk beds on the roof." Chuckled Liam.
"Hey, I'm here!" Killian's voice bellowed out from the hallway, "I don't know why you guys needed two extra loaves of garlic bread, who's going to eat all this food….oh" Kilian's voice trailed off as he saw Belle in the kitchen.
"Hi." Said Belle shyly. She was painfully aware all of Killian's family was staring at them.
Killian remembered his composure and placed the shopping on the counter and gave her a hug. "I had no idea you were coming."
"Helen didn't tell you?"
Helen lifted up her hands. "I'm getting older, I forget things."
"Whatever, you just wanted to see the look on his face when he saw her." Teased Elsa.
"You two are diabolical." Liam rolled his eyes at Elsa and his mother.
"We're nothing of the sort." Huffed Elsa, her Scandinavian accent sounding stronger than ever. "Kids! Come to the table! Spaghetti time!"
Dinner was noisy and fun. Having three year-olds at the table definitely distracted Killian and Belle from how awkward they were feeling. Belle dearly loved Killian's family already, especially how close they all were to each other.
"Anyway, I think it's time to get these kids to bed." Said Helen.
"Aww!" whined Anna. "But it's early, and Uncle Killian is here."
"Don't worry kiddo. I'll be back on the weekend." Said Killian, giving his niece a hug.
"I don't know when that is." Said Kristoff.
"One more sleep. I promise. Night you two."
The twins scampered off, leaving the crowded dining area a little less noisy.
"Thank you so much for coming." Said Elsa. "It was lovely to meet you."
"Killian, would you mind giving Belle a ride home? I don't want her catching a cab after dark." Said Helen.
Killian looked flushed, and Belle had to look away.
"My god, you two are so adorable!" Said Elsa, giving a little air kiss as she went down the hall to start the twin's bedtime.
"Belle, I apologise for my wife and mother." Said Liam. "Anyway, I have some twins to wrangle."
"So, you two had better get going, I've got a very messy kitchen to clean." Said Helen.
"You're not subtle at all, are you mother?" Whispered Killian as he pulled his mother into a hug.
"Goodnight dear one." Said Helen as she let go of her son. "And goodnight Belle, it was great to see you again."
"You too. Thanks for dinner."
0000
Killian sighed as the two of them were finally out of the crowded apartment and into the elevator. "I am so sorry about that. My family's a little…much sometimes."
Belle smiled. "They're wonderful. And I haven't had a family dinner in about 15 years. I missed it."
Killian stared at Belle, still almost not believing that she was still in front of him. Eventually his hands trailed down to her bangle-covered wrists. "How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Better." Said Belle as she looked at her arms "They don't hurt much anymore."
"That's not what I meant." Said Killian. "I mean, how are you, really?"
"I'm getting better. Slowly." Said Belle, her spine tingling when she realised he was still holding her hand.
The elevator dinged and they stepped out into the night air. "I heard from Graham that you've re-opened the Storybrooke Library." He said.
"Yes, its something I've always wanted to do." Said Belle.
"I'm glad." Said Killian as he shuffled his feet awkwardly.
"I'm so sorry I never called you. I just…needed some time."
"I understand. Graham told me…..about your relationship with Regina and Graham. I didn't want to make your life more complicated." Killian said sincerely.
Belle went slightly pale at Killian knowing the truth. "God knows what you must think of me."
Killian blinked "Belle, what you did for Graham and Regina was incredible. I think you're one of the most amazing people I've ever met." He admitted.
"Really?" Belle could hear her heart thumping in her chest.
"Really. You're all I've thought about since I left Storybrooke. I wanted to call so many times but….."
"Me too." she said. "I missed you so much."
Belle barely had time to take a breath before she felt his lips pressing against hers. She let a moan escape as she wrapped her arms around him, keeping him close. She was almost dizzy from the feeling. When the kiss finally ended, she was struggling to breathe.
"Wow." Whispered Belle.
"That too." Said Killian, kissing her forehead.
"And it….really doesn't bother you that I've been with your brother?"
Killian swallowed. "If it's not a problem for you, it's not a problem for me." Killian kissed her again, deeper this time. Belle could feel every cell in her body singing.
"I don't want to say goodbye yet." Admitted Belle. "Can we go back to your place?"
"Sure." Said Killian as he hailed a cab and helped her inside.
00000000000
Belle could feel the tension building while she was sitting beside him in the cab. Even though Killian was only stroking the back of her hand, her heart was beating wildly and there was a palpable electricity between their two bodies. The cab ride mercifully ended, and Killian took her up the elevator into his loft apartment.
"Wow, this place is….really empty." Belle commented as she made it inside.
Killian shrugged sheepishly. "I moved here once I was discharged from hospital, so I didn't have to live in the same flat I shared with Milah. I just never bothered to furnish it properly."
"Oh, I get it. Everything I own used to fit into my car." Said Belle. "Well, not anymore, now I'm moving into my house."
"I still can't believe Mr Gold rebuilt your family home. It was more generous than I ever would have imagined him."
Belle nodded. "I think I've learned over the last few weeks people can always surprise you."
"You can say that again." Said Killian. "So…with your house and your job…you're planning to stay in Storybrooke?"
"For now." Belle said quietly, "I've only been in New York for a day and it doesn't feel right."
"I know what you mean." Said Killian.
"I'm sorry I…made all those decisions without you." Said Belle.
"Oh, Belle. You don't owe me anything." Said Killian as he took her hand. Heat rose in her body just through his proximity.
"But I still want to give us a chance. A real chance." She whispered.
"I want that too. Whatever happens, its not a mistake." He kissed her forehead gently.
Belle tilted her head up to kiss him again, helping him unbutton his shirt. She gently ran her hands down his naked chest while Killian stifled a groan. She gently helped him remove his prosthetic, the straps making a chinking noise as they came undone. Killian looked at her with a vulnerability she had never seen in him before. While it was confronting to see him without his arm, it in no way detracted how she felt about him.
"It doesn't bother you?" He asked.
"No." Belle said firmly. She continued stroking his chest until her hands ran down his arm and cradled the end of the stump, making Killian jump slightly.
"Did I do something wrong" Belle asked.
"No. I'm just….not used to being touched since…." Killian's voice trailed off.
Belle looked up at him again, realising just how much torment and isolation he had gone through. She carefully stroked his scars before kissing them gently. She could feel his other hand stroking her hair, and she never wanted the sensation of being touched by him to stop.
"Please take me to bed." She whispered.
"Oh, god, I want you so much." He growled into her ear.
Belle gasped as he led her over to the bed of his studio apartment, landing on his lap as he sat on the edge of the bed. She yelped when his erection pressed against her, knowing she wanted far more of what was to come. She finally pulled away from him, causing Killian to let out a breath in protest.
She smiled, knowing the effect she was having on him. Very slowly, she let her dress slide to the floor, followed by her bra, underwear and heels; standing in front of him naked; just out of his reach.
"Good God, I think you're going to be the death of me." Swallowed Killian.
"Well, we can't have that." Said Belle as she slid up against him. Killian groaned as he wrapped his arms around her.
"You're so beautiful." He whispered.
Belle cradled his face, realising Killian was almost close to tears. "Is this ok?" She asked gently.
"Yes." He moaned as he kissed her again.
Belle trailed her hands further south, stopping short of the belt buckle of his jeans. "Do you want me to…"
"God yes." Killian unconsciously leaned back, letting Belle finish undressing him.
She let out a little gasp when she pulled down his jeans, revealing his thick erection. Without hesitation she wrapped her lips around him and sucked gently. She could hear Killian's breath hitch as he fisted her hair.
"Please Belle, I need to touch you." He panted.
Belle released his erection from her mouth and slid onto the bed beside him. He immediately curled her into his arms, kissing her sweetly. He propped himself up on his left side, letting his right hand trail down her soft body. Her back arched as he reached her aching centre. Killian knew the place he had found immediately and stroked her with firm, deliberate strokes.
"Don't stop." Belle whispered as she arched into his touch again.
"I don't plan to." He grinned as his lips continued to follow the path of his hand, using the flat of his tongue on her swollen clit.
"Oh, God!" Belle continued to writhe as his tongue and fingers brought her closer to orgasm.
"I want to feel you come." Killian gasped as he took a breath. "Please come for me."
"Oh, Killian. Fuck!" Belle cried out and fisted his hair as the familiar course of pleasure formed in the pit of her stomach, before exploding warmth all throughout her body. Killian had kept his fingers inside her during her orgasm, making the feeling more intense.
Killian lifted his eyes to meet hers, both of them breathing heavily. "Belle, I….do you want to keep going?" He asked gently.
"Please." She panted.
Killian propped himself up briefly, rummaging through the drawer of his nightstand for a condom. "I'm….going to need some help with this." He said, looking slightly ashamed as he looked at his stump.
"Hey, it's ok." Said Belle reassuringly. She propped herself up on her knees, cradling his face in her hands. She kissed him gently before urging him to lie back. She then straddled him and rolled on the condom. After adding a few drops of lubricant, she lifted up her hips, sheathing him inside her.
"Oh, Jesus, you feel fantastic." Killian's mouth was still wide open, watching this beautiful woman above him. He reached up with his right hand, stroking her face in-between his thrusts, eventually trailing his hand down to her breast, in that moment lamenting he didn't have a second hand to pay attention to the other one.
"So good." She moaned as she continued to rock back and forth, completely aware of each time she took him in deeply. She couldn't help but drag her hands over his chest, feeling his hair curling beneath her fingertips.
"Come here." Killian whispered, and Belle adjusted her position so she had her torso completely flush with his. There was something so intimate and sensual about the position, and Belle could feel heat coursing through her body again.
"I think I've got the hang of this now." Killian grunted as he wrapped his arms around her.
"What do you…oh!" Belle shrieked out as he had flipped them over without pulling out of her. She gasped as he continued to thrust into her, and she could feel his cock thickening with each movement.
"Please tell me you'll come again. I…I need to feel it." Killian groaned as he deepened his thrusts.
"I will, I'm so close." She whispered as she gripped onto his hips for support.
"What do you need? I'll do anything." He panted.
Belle carefully directed his right hand down above her clit, and he immediately began stroking it with the pad of his thumb firmly. She let out a little moan when she felt the pressure building up in her body as Killian continued to drive into her with a slow and steady rhythm.
"Ah, just like that…oh, Killian!" She almost shouted as her orgasm snuck up on her, making her entire body quiver.
"Oh, fucking hell." He said, lunging forward and abandoning his steady pace. He continued to fuck her hard through her orgasm until his own took over.
Sleep came to both of them within moments, the sheer emotional exhaustion of the previous few weeks finally catching up with them. In the early hours of the morning their bodies found each other again, needing the comfort, touch and security.
"You never told me the story of what happened, when you lost your hand." Said Belle quietly.
"Oh." Killian replied, shifting his position in bed. "Almost no-one knows the full story."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude." Belle apologised, kissing his shoulder.
"No, it's ok. I want to tell you." Killian nestled beside Belle in the dark, and somehow the lack of light made it easier to talk. "It was during the Hyde investigation. He would always send in human body parts of his victims in the post, taunting us with each life we hadn't saved."
"Oh, that's awful." Said Belle, feeling her eyes well up with tears.
"Eventually, after almost a year, we had a lead. I led a team into an abandoned subway station, where we were pretty sure he was keeping his victims. I stepped in past the gate first and it slammed behind me. Instead of waiting for my team, I rushed on ahead, because I knew there was a ten year old boy named Dylan and seconds mattered at this point."
Killian took a deep breath before continuing. "I found the boy. He was strapped to a chair, and Hyde had his collection of knives beside him, ready to begin. I begged Hyde to let me trade places and put me on the chair instead. I wasn't even thinking. All I knew was that Dylan was safe."
"Oh, God." Said Belle.
"The pain was excruciating. He snapped by wrist before he sliced through it. I passed out before my team could get me, but when I came to I was on a stretcher, and Hyde was detained by ten officers."
"You saved his life. You're the bravest person I've ever met."
"I haven't exactly been a model person this year." Said Killian. "I took it hard after Milah left. I lashed out at my colleagues, my family, God, anyone, really. I drank too much and basically thought about ending things for a long time. It wasn't until I made it to Storybrooke that I started healing."
"There's nothing I know about you that could turn me away." Said Belle as her eyes closed and she fell asleep.
As Killian held Belle as she slept in his arms, he knew he would have a hard time ever leaving her again.
Author notes
Hi Guys!
We are so getting close to the end, thank you so much for your enthusiasm with this story, it's been a great year!
Don't worry, we have some fantastic Regina/Graham goodness in the next chapter now that the dust has settled.
Also, I haven't added Killian's mum Helen in on a whim, she was introduced in chapter 17 when Belle talks to Killian at Granny's (see...foreshadowing!) I always knew she was going to help Killian and Belle get together. Gotta love her!
Much Love, review are ALWAYS appreciated!
Lady Eowyn