This quarantine is giving me a lot of inspiration and TIME. Please review on your thoughts so far. And please vote on my poll that is available on my bio. Thank you.


Killian brought Emma back to her apartment. But the two were physically incapable of separating from each other. By dark, they spent the night together. They have experienced sharing the bed together countless times. But tonight, it was very different from all the other experiences they had before.

They held onto each others' arms closely until they each can hear their hearts beat. With all the stress of this great punishment they were both experiencing, it gave great comfort to be able to rest next to somebody who will not judge them of what they did, break them apart, nor feel the need to be deserving of an apology.

Emma planted her temple deeply onto Killian's chest and kept one of her arms around his waist. As they both slept, Killian's lips remained planted in her hair as his arms protectively embraced her close to his body. This was the night they both had a much-needed rest that was difficult for them to achieve for the past few days.

By sunrise, Killian continued his deep slumber, only without Emma in his arms. She slowly removed herself from his embrace and crawled away to her workspace to make the final decision with her job.

Emma opened her laptop and went straight to her email.

When she first started her career as a wedding planner, she had a period in her life where she broke apart and was tempted to leave. So, she wrote a resignation letter and saved it in a file in case she will ever feel the same way she does then and use it. But she never did until now.

Milah made a very sharp point. It is a strange curiosity of how she was still not fired from her job.

She typed down a quick message to her boss, writing down that she will stop by to discuss about resigning. When she clicked sent, she scrolled through her emails to contact the other businesses she has kept in touch with to make sure the refunds have gone through to both Killian and Milah's bank account. Contacting all the vendors and local businesses were an extreme challenge for Emma. It took her a long time to fulfill half the tasks to not only give endless apologies and have long phone calls with the managers and owners, however also facing the humility that all of them are aware their business arrangements went to sham because of her.

Her phone suddenly buzzed. She took her phone and looked down at the screen. It was a text message from her father. She unlocked her phone and opened the message.

It reads: good morning, Emma. Always know that your mother and I are here for you. Is it ok if we talk?

For years, Emma has always been alone. With this scandal she caused, she has never felt more alone than she does at this very moment. The thought of turning to her biological parents for consolation never came to her. It was something she had never done all her life. At twenty-eight, right now, she feels so much like a small lost child than an invincible adult she should be.

Without a second thought, she typed down.

Thank you. Yes, let's chat right now. Skype me.

Emma brushed her hair to the side and turned her chair to hide from the sunshine, hoping being in the shadow will hide the clear evidence on her face that she has been crying all day. The Skype began.

The video camera showed Emma's father sitting on a single sofa chair with a notepad on his lap. Emma smiled. She forgot how good it felt to see him. He was wearing his usual muddy brown khakis, but instead of a simple sleeve shirt he always wore, today he wore a mustard yellow cashmere sweater Emma got him many years ago for Father's day.

Emma plugged her earphones and took her laptop off her desk. Fearing she might wake up Killian, she stepped out to her balcony and laid the laptop on the ledge.

She waved at her father. "Hi. It's good to see you. How have you been?"

Her father waved hello and gave her a thumbs up.

"Sorry, I-I know I look tired. I've been very busy."

Her father shook his head. He lowered his eyes as he wrote down something on his notepad. When he was finished he showed it up to her for her to read. It reads: It's ok I understand.

"..That's good to hear. Y-You've been well? What about mom?"

Her father nodded, grinning widely.

Emma really thought she cried all she could the other day. But seeing her father and having him willing to listen to her problems tempted her to cry once more. It deeply touched her that yesterday was a day of redeeming herself and facing the great wrath she deserved, but today is all about surrounding herself with people who love her and want nothing what is best for her.

She took a deep breath and again pushed half of her hair to the side. "I..I am really sorry I have not contacted you..well, it's been months since we last spoke. It is still not easy for me to talk to you guys, even though all these years passed."

Her father nodded. And raised the notepad for her to read the same thing he has written.

"Yeah. A-And I'm sorry, especially right now, because I really need somebody to listen to me, to talk to me. I'm sorry if this is selfish."

The smile slowly disappeared from her father's lips. He shook his head again and placed the notepad back onto his lap to write something again. She waited. Once again, he revealed his notepad for her to read through the screen.

Always here for you. It is not selfish.

Emma nodded. She blinked more than she needed and looked down on the floor for a moment as an attempt to not cry.

"D-Dad..thank you for saying that. But honestly, I really put shame to you and mom. You would think if your kids grow up they fuck up less…I really proved that to be false."

Her father again wrote down on his notepad. This time something a little longer. Her eyes glued to the screen. After writing down his words, he showed her the notepad once more.

The world is against you right now. But your parents are the last people who will go against you. Let everything out. I am here for you, Emma. I will listen for you.

Emma nodded. She couldn't do it right away. But with so many different stories now on tabloids and exploited so heavily in the press, if there was going to be anybody who was going to tell her father about all the scandals it was going to be her.

So, Emma told her father how she met Killian, and how Milah and Killian will now be the last couple she will serve as a wedding planner. When she told him about her courage going back into acting, she and her father shared a genuine smile. She could tell her father was itching to interrupt her to write down how proud he was or any other words of encouragement he couldn't contain. But he did not, instead continued to listen.

Then, she reached to the ugly part of the story where there were no smiles exchanged from either side. Emma told him of Killian's complicated family dynamic, his secret of not revealing Milah as his true fiancé due to her age, and how his own daughter compressed dangerous feelings towards her own client.

She did not think she was able to tell her father everything in one sitting, let alone, one skype call. But she did. She told him her times she shared at London with Killian, meeting her ex for the first time in years, and where she left off with Milah just yesterday.

"So, dad..really, be honest. Aren't you disappointed at me? Out of all people, I always learned that you and mom were the ultimate advocate for a long-lasting committed relationship. Isn't there a small part of you that you wonder where this cheating side of me came from?"

Her father lowered his eyes down to his notepad and began to write down his thoughts. She saw how this time he crossed out a few words and took a little longer to think things through on what he wanted to say. He went as far to use more than one page to get his point across. When he was eventually satisfied with what he wrote, he presented the first page to her.

Again, the world is against you. I will always love you because you are my daughter – I know you. I know both your strengths and your weaknesses. But the world doesn't. One mistake: it reads you as just that.

Emma nodded. Reading each word slowly, resonating deeply with what he is saying.

Her father flipped to the next page.

Hearing what you say, I can see that you really care about this guy. So hold onto it. Don't forget it. Brings you nowhere to constantly think about others peoples' opinions. As for me, I have no judgment against you.

A tear fell down one of Emma's eyes. These words meant so much to her. She did not expect her father to say anything like this. Each word alleviated the harsh words and ridicule she has been hearing from others, hearing from herself.

Her father flipped to the next page.

You have made the right decision to confront your problems and apologize. Do what you can. But do not punish yourself, or else you will lose your purpose, and all that you are going through will be for nothing.

Emma nodded.

He flipped to the final page.

In time, by the time you get through this, I will be able to understand why you have done what you did even more. So do not worry of what I think. But with that in mind, when will you introduce me to Irish Boy?

Emma let out a laugh hearing the last remark. It is official. Killian is officially coined as Irish Boy in her family, no turning back now.

"Soon, dad. Soon."

Wait. Why not now?

"D-Dad, can you pause for a minute? I-I think I want to introduce you to him right now, actually."

Her father grinned widely and happily nodded.

Emma slid open the door of her balcony and rushed over to the bed. Killian still remained sound asleep. She climbed on top of the bed and crawled to him. She affectionately leaned close to his face and laid a long kiss on top of his head.

By the feeling of her touch, Killian awoke but he did not open his eyes right away. With his eyes remained closed, he searched for one of her hands and claimed it in between his fingers. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"Where have you run off to? You're supposed to be down here next to me, not up."

"Something unexpected came up. Something really important."

He opened his eyes and gazed up at her. Gently, she caressed his cheek and smoothed one of his brows.

"I was just catching up on my emails and uh..well, my dad contacted me. And it was our first conversation in months."

Killian nodded, listening to every word carefully. He kissed her knuckles again and brought her hand close to his heart.

"And how did it feel?"

Emma beamed with a smile. "Really good. Talking to him made me feel a lot stronger. And..well, damn, I really did not think this through, so I'm sorry. You don't have to say yes to this. But - huh d-do you want to finally meet my dad?"

Killian smiled and nodded a little excitedly. "Of course. You never mentioned much about your parents and I never wanted to pry into something you weren't comfortable with. This is quite a progress. When is the best time to meet your father?"

"W-Well, how about say now. Right now."

Killian's smile fell. "Don't tell me when you just said you talked to your dad today, he is still on hold on the other end of the line."

Emma nodded. "Exactly that."

Instantly, Killian released her hand and jumped off the bed. Emma snorted a laugh as she saw her sudden anxious boyfriend rush into the bathroom.

She followed him inside the bathroom. He started the faucet for the coldest water and splashed the refreshing liquid straight onto his face. It melted her heart to see him make such an effort to look semi-presentable for her father. He dried his face with a towel and examined his appearance in the mirror.

"Fuck," he muttered.

He met her eyes through the reflection of the mirror. With a big grin on her face, she circled her arms around his waist and rested her chin on one of his shoulders.

"Does your father have anything against my piercings..o-or my tattoos? Should I change into something with sleeves?"

"Killian, it's fine. My father is not a harsh critic, well, at least to me."

"That does not make me feel any better."

"Come on then. My dad is waiting."

Emma dropped her arms and held out her hand, anticipating for Killian to take it. He took a deep breath and slowly claimed her hand. Together they went out to the balcony.

It has been many years since Killian met another woman's father. For so many years, he was happily in a long-term relationship with Milah. Meeting her family was never the problem because many were deceased and those who were living she was estranged from. He felt terribly out of practice at this very moment.

Killian looked at the screen before him. He saw a tall older man with a kind-looking face. He could not help but smile to see how much Emma took after her father's gentle eyes and his sweet smile.

Emma cleared her throat and gestured her hand to Killian. "Dad, sorry for the long wait. This is my boyfriend, Killian."

Her father smiled widely at the sight of them. He looked genuinely pleased to see the two of them stand next to each other. Seeing him at this state gave great relief to Killian. He feared for the worst at this point.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. My deepest apologies for making this introduction so late."

Her father shook his head. He lifted his hand as a gesture to give him a moment. His eyes fell back down onto his notepad and he began to write.

Killian was confused at first but his curiosity melted away when her father lifted the notepad for both of them to read.

I am glad we at least meet now. I have heard plenty about you.

Killian opened his mouth to speak, but he could not think of what to say. This was all a surprise to him that Emma did not prepare him for.

As if on cue, the two looked into each others' eyes in unison. Emma simply gave him a quick nod and all Killian could do was the same.


~ The video chat with Emma's father ended shortly. The minute Emma shut her laptop closed, Killian circled his arms around her and pulled her close to his chest. She accepted his embrace and wrapped her own arms around his body.

He breathed in deeply and let out a deep sigh. Gently he laid his chin on the crown of her head.

For a long moment, he took a moment to pause as he embraced her affectionately in his arms. At the top of his head, he was crafting his words as carefully as he could of what he was about to ask next.

"Where do you stand with your parents, Emma? So far, I have learned today that your father is a lovely man, but there is a lot I do not know. Is it alright of me to ask you this?"

He can feel her nodding her head.

"My parents had me when they were young so they gave up on me and I was put into foster care. It was probably against the rules, but they kept in touch with me when I was a teenager. I was off foster care by the time I was eighteen so – No!"

Killian was about to release her to face her properly, but she tightened her hold on his body.

"Please, I need this. Just hold me. It's..it's not very easy for me to do this. I only done this to one man and that was many years ago."

Once again, he returned his arms to hold her close to him. He nodded as he returned his chin to rest on top of her head.

"Very well. Tell me this way."

"I had a trouble time accepting my parents and I was never close to my foster parents either. So, I never had proper guidance or experienced what it's like to have a family for the longest time. But my mother started to develop premature dementia, so the times where she remembers me grew very rare. And..when I got into my car accident, my father was so shocked seeing me in my injuries, he became mute. I have not heard my father spoken ever since."

"Did you ever go back to them?" He asked.

Emma shook her head. "I always kept a distance from my parents for years. I went as far to leave for New York. It took me years for me to finally accept them as my parents. I'm…I'm really a horrible daughter. I didn't even choose to stay with them after all that they went through. But all I did was help them financially when I started to do really well as a wedding planner."

"You had a unique case, Emma. You were and still are not a horrible child. That's my job."

Killian can hear her smile at that last remark. But it only lasted for a moment as she continued.

"I honestly asked my dad today if he was disappointed with me. You know regardless, it was really fucked up of what I did – what we did to be where we are right now. And..God, all that my dad said was he was always here for me and he will understand my reasons eventually. It really meant a lot to hear that. Because Killian, for twenty-eight years – my entire fucking life – I felt so alone without them. I pushed them out. I hated them. I punished them with my rejection. But they still stayed with me."

Emma slowly lifted her head and looked up to Killian's eyes. She lifted one of her hands and cupped one of his cheeks.

"It must be difficult for you, especially your mother. Does she currently remember you?"

Emma shook her head. "No, not anymore. B-But strangely, you know that night during the interview, my mom really did call me out of the blue. I have seen her at a state of knowing me for so long. But over the phone, she talked to me as if she recognized me at the age I am now, the person that I am now. Yet, I never really called her back. It's stupidly..confusingly cruel of where I stand with my parents."

Killian wanted to disagree with her and pour out nothing but encouraging words to her. But he brushed off the thought, and decided to listen instead. His instincts strongly persuaded him that being her ears was what she needed most.

"Thank you so much for meeting my dad, and being understanding of how very little I prepared you. I just..well, I never saw my dad being mute as handicap or disabled, and also talking to him rarely made me forget the idea of informing others about his situation."

"Thank you for taking the courage to tell your father all that we went through, and introducing the man to me. He is a delightful man. We ought to talk to him again another time, including your mother when the time is right. I wouldn't want you to carry on the same habit of talking to him once or twice a year. You made me promise to catch up with family, he is part of family, so he will be someone we will visit often. Maybe in person one day, when all this scandal cools down."

Emma broke into another smile. Only this smile stayed on her lips. She placed her other hand on his cheek.

"I..I love you, Killian."

On her tiptoes, she closed her eyes and kissed him. She wanted passion out of the kiss, but Killian gently released her lips. She opened her eyes, feeling slightly disappointed.

Killian deeply looked down at her eyes. He was never more than prepared to say what he is about to say next.

"I love you too. We went through hell and back together. Currently, hell has not frozen over for us at the moment. But I am still guiltily happy to have you by my side, to hold you in my arms like this, for none of this to be a secret. Remember, love, we will get through this together. Never forget it."

Emma nodded and smoothed the tip of her thumb on his cheek. Her eyes sparkled with tears. A few drops already escaped from her eyes. Killian brushed each drop with a crook of his finger. Gently, he leaned forward and laid a long kiss onto her temple.

"By the way, there is one last question I have for you."

"Oh?"

"Is my title Irish Boy permanent even for your father?"

Emma deviously smirked and gave him a simple nod of the head. "Copied. Signed. Official. Welcome to my family."

"There is nothing I can do to convince you or your father to change that, is there?"

"Nope."