Emma POV:
It's Christmas Eve. My parents decided that our little apartment is too small for our ever growing family and planned to spend the holiday at Killian's place. So here I am, packing an overnight bag.
It's been a few days since that demon appeared out of nowhere and attacked our little town. Things have been oddly quiet ever since.
I haven't seen Killian since that day when he told me he loved me. While my parents may have explained that I loved him too and I have just forgotten, it doesn't make me feel any less awkward around him.
I do admit that I felt something when he kissed me but I don't know if it was love.
"Are you all packed?" David yells up the steps.
I yell over the railing, "Almost!"
I grab some PJs and toss them in my bag and zip it up. Running down the stairs I toss the bag on the table and go straight to the fridge to drink some orange juice from the jug, not wanting to dirty a glass.
Mary Margaret comes out of the bathroom at that very moment and braids me, "Emma! We drink from cups in this house!"
I wipe my face with my sleeve, "Sorry." I shrug putting it back in the fridge.
"I think we have everything! Do you have the baby wipes?" David asks Mary Margaret.
"Yes! I think we have more than enough for one night." She states.
She's not wrong. By the doorway she has a giant suit case on wheels, and two duffel bags packed full. Makes me feel like I didn't pack enough.
"Well it's a good thing he doesn't live very far away. If you forgot something you can come back." I laugh.
They both smile at me. "Let's go! Henry, Regina and Robin are probably already there and wondering where we are." David says.
I grab my duffel bag and we all rush out the door. We toss everything in the truck bed and pile into the truck. "You seriously need to get an SUV." As we try to cram myself, my parents and my little brother into the truck that is really meant to be a two seater.
Mary Margaret looks annoyed, "If your father would stop being so stubborn and sell this truck we could afford to get a nice car but..." She glares at him.
"Hey! I love this truck! What we really need to do, is get your car fixed." He nods at me.
After driving it into a lake I have a hard time believing that the old bug will ever be road worthy again. I haven't even seen it since I got home.
The truck pulls into a driveway. The house is huge! It has a white picket fence with a detached garage. I get out of the truck and stand there staring at the house in shock. He lives here? Alone?
"You coming?" David asks as he walks up the steps to the front door.
"Yeah." I say and I follow them.
David opens the door without knocking. "Hi!" He yells to no one in particular.
Killian walks over from the left which appears to be the kitchen. He takes a couple bags from David. "Make yourselves at home." As he gestures around, "Lets take those bags up stairs, David." As he looks up the steps in front of us. Together they drag everything upstairs except for my bag that I'm still holding.
The house is really nice inside. Really high ceilings, stainless steel appliances and hard wood floors throughout, and even granite counters in the kitchen.
I walk into the kitchen spotting a door going outside.
There is a huge secluded terrace outside the kitchen and dinning room.
"Its nice isn't it?" I jump and turn around seeing Killian standing there. "I'm sorry Swan, I didn't mean to startle you." Killian apologizes when he notices my surprise.
"Its okay." I give him a small smile. "Your home is beautiful. Do you live here alone?" I ask instantly regretting my question.
He smiles, "Aye, it is just me here." now looking outside through the doors to the terrace, still smiling when he continues, "But I'm sure one day I'll find someone to share it with." He looks back at me and raises his left eye brow with the biggest smirk on his face.
I can feel my heart pounding as his bright blue eyes stare back at mine. My walls are crumbling down every time I'm around him. I look towards the living room where my parents are, trying to avert my gaze from his.
"So where am I sleeping?" I ask as I look back at him.
He raises his eye brow again, "With me of course." He winks at me.
I let out a nervous laugh, "Ha ha very funny, Jones."
"Come with me and I will show you." He smiles and walks towards the stairs.
I follow him up stairs. At the top of the stairs there are four doors. He points to the different rooms, "This is my room." I glace in and see a big bed, a night stand and a chest at the foot of the bed. Its such a big room but its really empty. He continues around the corner, "This is where your parents are sleeping." The room is small but it has a double bed with a night stand and a small crib, I assume for my little brother, Neil. "This is the bathroom." Right next to the room my parents are sleeping in. Its a normal bathroom but it has a large Jacuzzi tub. "And this is where you'll be sleeping" I look over as he opens the closed door at the end of the hall. There are stairs beyond the door. He gestures for me to go first.
I walk up the stairs to the third floor. The walls and ceiling are made of hard wood. There is a double bed and a night stand with a small chest at the foot of the bed. A large bay window on the other end with a window seat. Even some string lights hung around the room that give it a really cozy feeling.
He smiles at me and points to the chest, "I put some extra blankets in the chest encase you get cold."
"Thanks." I look at him and then sit my bag on the bed.
"I'm going to let you unpack. I'll see you downstairs?" He asks.
I nod. He walks down the steps closing the door behind him.
I move to the window and sit down. You can see the ocean from here. I don't remember this place and I still don't remember Killian. I guess I never will.
A small tear falls down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away.
Suddenly I hear Christmas music blaring. I get up and walk downstairs quickly. When I reach the living room I see my parents sitting on the love seat watching Henry as he is bent over a karaoke machine.
"What are you up to?" I ask him.
"Trying to get this set up so we can use it." He smiles "I think it will be a lot of fun. Did you want to try?"
"No way! I can't carry a tune if my life depended on it." I laugh.
"That doesn't matter, mom. It's still fun to try." He smiles.
Regina and Robin come into the room now, "We will volunteer and do a duet." Regina states and smiles at Robin.
"That sounds lovely." Robin laughs.
Henry hands them the microphone and shows them how to pick a song. I move to sit on the couch across from my parents.
The living room doesn't have a TV. In addition to the couch and love seat, there is a couple chairs. There is a Christmas tree in the corner of the room. A small fire place that is currently in use.
I watch Robin and Regina as they hold the microphone together and start singing White Christmas. They really are a great couple. It took a long time for Regina to find happiness again. "May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be white." The song comes to an end and everyone claps. They both bow and laugh.
"Me next!" Mary Margaret reaches for the mic from Regina. "Come on, David!" She motions for him to come up with her.
"Do I have to?" He sighs.
She rolls his eyes at him and nods. He gets up from the couch and they both look at the song list on the machine.
"Are you having a good time?" Regina asks.
I look at her and nod. "I think this is what I needed. It was a good idea to all get together. I gotta admit, was a little worried." I say as I glace over at Killian who is talking to Henry in the kitchen. "I didn't think I would be able fall back into my old life so easily but I was wrong." I smile back at her.
She returns my smile with her own. "I can't begin to understand what you went through back in Camelot but I'm really glad you're here now."
Suddenly I hear Mary Margaret start a new song and as soon as I hear it, I start to laugh. I should have known they would pick this song.
Mary Margaret starts "I don't want a lot for Christmas. There is just one thing I need. I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you!" She sings as she stares at David.
I think all I want for Christmas is this. To be with my family. I went so many years of my life, having no one. Now that I have it, I don't want to lose it.
The song ends and they kiss.
"Okay!" David yells, "Get over here, Killian!"
My mom walks over to me and drags me up from the couch. "Now you both should sing a song together." Mary Margaret says.
I shake my head. "No way!"
Killian walks into the room and walks up to the machine. "Come on Swan. We can pick a short one." He smiles over at me, "They will never stop until you do this. Trust me."
I know he's right. I sigh, "Fine. But only one!" I point at my mom with my one finger.
She sits back down on the love seat with David. I walk up to the machine next to Killian. "Okay let's get this over with."
He scrolls through the list and points to Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. The lyrics are there and it does look short. I nod in agreement.
Since there is only one microphone we have to stand close together. The tune starts to play and with each of our hands on the mic I start to sing.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas." Mary Margaret starts to whistle as the words fall. "Let your heart be light. From now on your troubles will be out of sight." I pause and look up at Killian wondering if he's going to start singing.
Killian smiles down at me and then looks back at the screen reading the words. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Make the Yuletide gay. From now on your troubles will be miles away." He sounds amazing.
The next verse starts and together we sing it. "Here we are as in olden days. Happy golden days of yore. Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more."
I continue on my own smiling at him, "Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow."
Killian sings "Hang a shining star upon the highest place."
And together again, "So have yourself a merry little Christmas now." And the tune stops and everyone starts to clap.
Without even realizing it until now, during the song, Killian must have put his arm around me. Now that the music has stopped I'm fully aware of his hook resting at my side.
His lips are so close to mine as we lower the mic down. I step back slightly and end up tripping over my feet as I rush to distance myself from him.
"Are you alright there, Swan?" Killian asks as he drops the mic on the floor and grabs my hand trying to keep me from falling but causing me to fall into him instead.
I look up at him as he holds me steady against him. I can see concern but also hope in his eyes. I can feel all eyes on me. I know my cheeks are turning red and I hate it. Putting my hand on his chest I push him away from me. "I'm fine I just need to lay down." I say as I look away from him trying to warn him not to push it further.
He lets me go and I rush up stairs hoping no one will follow. Once I get back to my room I cash onto the bed.
I pause, placing my fingers over my lips. I didn't kiss him but I wanted to. More then anything, I just want to give into love. I can feel the tears falling freely now.
My walls are slowly coming down. I thought it would be a good thing but if my walls are down what's to stop the bad stuff from getting in?
I look out the window overlooking the ocean and I feel calmer some how. Maybe a walk will help. I grab my jacket and rush down the stairs.
My mom stops me as I put my shoes on. "Where are you going?" She asks.
"I just need a little air to think." I smile at her. "Just to the beach and back."
"Don't go alone. Take Killian with you." She says.
"Mom!" I sigh. "I know that you want us to be together but you can't force it on me."
"Emma I see the way you look at him." She states. "And I know he loves you, just give him a chance."
I know she does and I should just give in to whatever my heart is telling me but I'm scared. "I just want to be alone right now. I'll be back. I promise." With a reassuring smile and a quick hug I leave, heading towards the ocean.