Ch. 29 - Epilogue
Emma was putting the finishing touches to her look when Killian came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waste and rest his chin on her shoulder. She placed her blush brush into her makeup drawer and focused on the image of them both in the mirror in front of her. His eyes seemed to be scanning her as his mouth turned up in a grin. She couldn't help but smile and lean back into his embrace. "You look beautiful. I still can't believe how lucky I am to have you." He said softly into her ear.
His breath against her neck caused tingles up and down her body. She closed her eyes to gain composure. "You know what you do to me when you even remotely come close to that spot on my neck." She said in hushed tone.
He softly breathed again. "I know." He said softly.
She turned in his arms with her back pressed against the sink and placed her hands on each side of his chest. She looked up into his beautiful eyes and tried to escape his magnetic pull." We are going to be late to the LaBouff's party and the invitation said 7:00 p.m. sharp."
His smiled became a pout." Alright. If we must." He said deflated.
She leaned up and kissed his pouty lips. "We must. Now, go get your pants on!" she said.
He grinned. " You're still in your undergarments and I'm not telling you to get dressed." He joked.
She pushed him back." I just need to slip on my dress and have you zip it. Besides, you know how hard it is for me to resist you when you smell so good." She whined.
He turned around and began shaking his hips back and forth. "Don't forget my arse, I believe you said it was beautiful, sculpted from the gods." He said laughing.
"Ugh." She said with an exasperated breath escaping her lips. "Later, you are mine! I'm not going to be gentle." she exclaimed swatting him with the towel she grabbed from their bathroom towel rack.
"oof!" he called. "Alright, Alright, pants it is." He said defeated.
She caught up to him walking to their room. She tugged on his arm getting him to turn toward her. She reached up behind his neck and pulled his lips to her giving him a scorching kiss. He grabbed her in full embrace and jumped in whole heartedly. She teased his lip with her tongue and went back in for more finally pushing back with a soft breath escaping. He was standing there dazed. "Wha?" he said excitedly.
She grinned and walked past him into their room. "Two can play the seduction game. That's just a preview for later and I believe I'm winning." She said turning her head back to see him standing breathless. She couldn't help but grin. "Now, get in here and help me zip up the dress you are going to take off of me later. "she teased.
"Coming." He called thinking he was definitely going to kiss her neck a bit more before they left. Two can definitely play the game.
They arrived at the LaBouff Mansion and found that he had spared no expense for the party. Killian pulled his truck to the front of the mansion to a waiting valet. He got out of the truck and quickly walked around to help her step out safely. She was wearing heels and not her usual comfortable boots so getting in and out of the truck was not easy. After his assault on her neck with his beautiful lips, she was surprised they'd made it. She threaded her arm into his. "Shall we go Love?" he asked.
She nodded. "Lead the way." She said smiling.
Ray opened the door before they had the chance to knock. "Ah, our honored guests have arrived. Cheri' you look beautiful. " he said.
She smiled and nodded. "Thank you." She said feeling the blush creep up on her cheeks. She fell in love with the baby blue strapless dress with tiny sparkles through it immediately. It was Killian's expression when he saw her in it that sold the dress though. She looked over at her adoring partner. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo. The invitation was black tie and he could certainly wear the look. She smiled at him beaming with pride as they continued towards the room where all the noise was coming from.
Her eyes went wide when she saw the lavish affair. Who knew that people still had ballrooms in their homes? The lighting was pink blush. There was a DJ playing and she saw Lottie dancing in the center of the room. Just as the sisters told her, Lottie couldn't help but light up the room. She saw Tiana's family seated at a large table. Her aunties were embroiled in a somewhat heated conversation. As they approached, she laughed to find out it was about who made the better peach pie. "Hello ladies." She said as they stopped at the table.
Mama Odi stood, came around her chair and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. "Oh, Honey, thank you so much for bringing our baby girl home." She said excitedly.
Auntie Izma would not be outdone. "Odi, give the girl some room. She just got here." She said sharply.
Odi turned to her. "Oh you hush." She said before coming back in for a warmer hug.
Nairobi and Greta came up behind them. "Hey guys! I'm so glad to see you are doing well Emma." Said Greta.
Nairobi replaced her grandmother in the hug. She looked over at Killian smiling at her. Emma held her friend. "I'm so happy I was able to help." She said.
"Jones! Finally made it." Said Wil as he came up behind Killian and clapped him on the back.
Killian turned and smiled. "Who let you in here." He said jokingly.
"Oi, watch it." He said.
Killian shook Wil's hand. "Thank you. "He said.
Wil heartily shook his hand back." Of course, anything for a brother. Besides, I've learned from the best." He said grinning.
The call of Wil's name came from the dance floor. They all looked over to see the sorority sisters waving him back to the floor. Wil wiggled his brows. "Duty calls!" he slapped Killian on the arse and quickly ran back to the dance floor.
Emma laughed. "Come on, let's find our seats. I'm starving." She said.
Killian leaned over and whispered in her ear. "You better eat up, you are going to burn a lot of calories later." He said whispering against her neck again.
She took in a deep breath. "Come on." She said tugging his hand towards their table.
Mr. LaBouff was seated at the table when they got there. He was watching the dance floor and smiling. "You see my little girl out there! That's my light. Thanks to you both I've got her back and I will never be able to repay you." He said with a sniff as he wiped his eye.
Killian pulled out Emma's chair to allow her to sit and pushed in her chair. "I'm so glad we were able to find the girls. You don't owe me anything." Said Emma.
Killian took the seat next to her and touched her knee lightly. "We were happy to help." He said.
Mr. LaBouff was about to protest when Tiana and Lottie came up to their table. "Emma, Killian?" asked Tiana.
Emma pushed out her chair and stood again. "Yes, how are you?" she asked.
Lottie had tears in her eyes. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving us." She said.
Tiana nodded. "We can never thank you enough." She said.
Emma smiled. "Your safety was thanks enough. Although your Auntie tells me you are going to open a restaurant some day and that your cooking rivals anyone. Maybe I can come by for a meal sometime." Said Emma.
Tiana came in and wrapped her arms around her. Lottie followed on the other side sandwiching her in between. "You can have everything on the menu." Said Tiana.
"That goes double for me." shouted Lottie.
Emma laughed and looked at Killian grinning at her. This is why she did what she did. She liked making a difference in people's lives. She liked finding justice for those who needed it. She would definitely take Tiana up on her offer someday but tonight, she wanted to have a good meal and dance with her man.
It was later in the evening when the slow songs finally started to play. They'd eaten their fill of the beautiful meal and were ready to relax. Killian's warm arms around her on the dancefloor were her favorite part of the evening. She let her head rest on his chest as he swayed to the music. She could hear his beautiful heart beating. This was just where she wanted to be always.