Previously on Welcome to the Storybook...
Location: Pawn shop chapter 29- No simple favours
One item called out to Emma a beautiful piece hand carved from a tree. About thirty centimetres tall where two wooden poles scripted with strange writing and connected with two slim planks. In the centre an hourglass. Emma felt the desire to turn it but as she reached out a hand Mr Gold intervened stopping her.
"Try not to touch dearie" Mr Gold said strangely appearing from seemingly nowhere.
"Why, what does it do?" Emma responded startled but curious.
"It's an hourglass flip it and it will give you an hour" Mr Gold responded with a wink.
"Isn't that what all hourglasses do" Emma responded confused.
"Right" Mr Gold said with a sly smile.
Now
For a town lost in time for just over fifteen years it hand changed immensely in the last 365 odd days. A lot can change in a year and hour, a minute. These small moments some great, some horrible that can define all the days after. If only there was a way to rewrite these cataclysmic moments in time. A 3D alarm clock sat on a small wooden table up on the second floor of the loft, as the time changed to eleven it started to beep loudly. Emma rolled onto her back gripping the soft blanket tight in her hands, just hoping to stay snuggled up in her dreams a little while longer. Today was the day and the anticipation had been quietly building for a while. For the first time in Emma's life, she was looking forward to a birthday. To have people wish her another year of happiness, that they would share with her. A small part of Emma was concerned reality may not be as sweet as her hopes and dreams. This feeling only lasted a second though, even with her eyes closed Emma felt the presence of two excited parents lightly tugging on the side of her blanket. Standing next to the bed both with wide proud smiles on their faces.
"Happy Birthday" David and Mary Margaret said in unison.
Buddy the newest and fluffiest member of the family took that as his que to jump up on the bed and lick Emma's face. Emma quickly sat up any fears that this day won't be what she had dreamed for the last sixteen years faded to a distant memory. Looking into the eyes of the two people who loved her the most was the only gift Emma ever wished for. Now she got it and not just today, but every day.
"I can't believe your already sixteen" David said tears in his eyes.
This was a line most parents would exchange on any number of their child's milestone birthdays. In these particular circumstances it was true though, for him this had literally all happened in a blink. Having been comatose for much of Emma's life it was on days like this he felt the full weight of the guilt for not being there. Unable to use his words for a moment he simply handed Emma the Storybook. Turning to the day she was born, for most kids they would have heard this story, the story of their births many times before their sweet sixteenth. However, Emma had only briefly flipped through the pages herself truthfully it was all just so tragic. This was the first time she heard it with footnotes straight from her parents. It was blissful sitting in bed, a parent on each side of her as they laughed and shared memories together. Mary Margaret reached into a box pulling a small cupcake out, a single blue candle shaped like a star in its centre. Quickly she pulled out a lighter and lit the candles tip.
"Make a wish" Mary Margaret said.
"I don't have anything to wish for" Emma replied content.
"There must be something" David said with a slight nudge to Emma's side.
David and Mary Margaret just smiled and leaned in further placing he candle closer to Emma. Emotions swept over Emma, and she began to tear up much to her surprise. Thinking back on how much time was wasted pushing everyone away almost stopping this moment from coming to pass. Deep down Emma knew this life is what she always wanted, and she was the happiest she'd ever been. However, it began to dawn on her if all this had happened in a mere year of her life it could all be lost as quickly, suddenly a whole new fear of losing everyone overwhelmed Emma for a moment. Closing her eyes Emma let out a deep breath blowing out the flame on the star. Emma knew what her wish was. That nothing would change, that it could stay like this forever. Just as the flame went out there was an excited knock at the door. Emma recognised the pattern and tone distinctly as that of Killian Jones.
"I think that will be for you" David said.
"Tell Killian I'll just be a minute" Emma said.
Before jumping out of bed her bed and running into the bathroom to get changed. Quickly Emma peeked her head out the bathroom door, looking over at her parents who just started to head down the stepladder.
"Mom, Dad this was great, thanks" Emma said before closing the door once more.
Emma looked up in the mirror smiling as she got dressed. Her heart racing with excitement not wanting to waste a moment of this day. Toothbrush still in her mouth as she slipped into her jeans and managed to get her head through a black tank top without getting any toothpaste on it. Practically running downstairs towards her family. Mary Margaret, David and Killian were talking in whispers at the door. This noise abruptly stopped as Emma approached, the living area.
"Happy birthday beautiful" Killian said.
Emma smiled sheepishly already starting to feel a bit bashful with all this attention. Dressed in his favourite black leather, even his hair had been styled with purpose today. Killians eyes where excited as he greeted Emma practically skipping over to her from the doorway where he stood. Wrapping one arm around Emma waist, Killian led her back over to the doorway quickly.
"We going somewhere?" Emma asked.
"Well, are you hungry?" Killian asked.
"Always" Emma replied.
"Here. open this first" David said handing Emma a brightly coloured bag concealing something with shiny silver paper.
Emma smiled almost forgetting for a moment it is a common custom to receive gifts on ones birthday. Any gift she ever received was state mandated and although their hearts where always in the right place, somehow it just made all the worse. Just another reminder that nobody wanted to celebrate Emma being in their life. This was the first time she would receive a real personal gift, someone had picked out just for her birthday. Emma didn't even care what it was she already made a silent promise to keep with her for all her days. The paper concealed a beautiful crafted red leather jacket. Emma gasped excited lifting it up out of the bag and slipping it on, as soon as the fabric touched her skin Emma felt at ease, pulling it tight around shoulders like a comforting armour. Smiling wide Emma hugged her parents once more thanking them for the gift.
"Saw you eyeing that online a few weeks ago" Mary Margaret said.
Emma muscles already beginning to hurt from the constant use of her smile today. It was not something entirely new in Emma's life to have people care for her. Today was different though it was a whole new experience and Emma cherished it.
"Thanks, I love it" Emma said to them.
"Alright, better get going" David said.
"Sure, I'll see you guys later, I guess" Emma said suspicious as she turned towards the door.
David gave Killian the thumbs up behind Emma's back to which he nodded knowingly, while Mary Margaret practically pushed Emma out the door with an excited smile. Emma somewhat frowned as they headed down the stairs, expecting to have to fight for time alone with Killian today. Killian didn't say much but by the way he smirked and averted his gaze it was clear he was holding something back. Emma just giggled confident that whatever it was he was hiding would be a happy surprise. They drove for a few minutes until they reached the park across from the schools entrance. Killian parked the car and got out without explanation gesturing for Emma to follow. Carrying a brown paper bag that smelt of crispy bacon. Emma was salivating not having lied about being hungry.
"You know its Sunday right" Emma said while Killian strutted towards the highschool.
"I just wanted to share something" Killian explained with a smile.
"Intrigued" Emma replied.
Killian held Emma's hand as they walked across the empty paddock sitting down legs crossed as he reached the peak of the hill. Emma followed suit sitting beside him as Killian carefully handed out the bacon and egg sandwich from the bag he was carrying. It was a nice spot, and you could see the whole school including the courtyard and Emma enjoyed sitting and laughing with Killian. Still, she was curious as to why he picked this spot. After all they had many, many other nicer more private places they usually had set for their dates.
"What's on your mind?" Emma asked curious.
I used to sit here every day" Killian started "For fifteen years it was like Groundhog Day, but one morning a new car pulled up down the street" Killian explained.
Emma eyes went wide, and she looked over to the school picturing it play out through Killians eyes for the first time.
"Then I saw you, reluctantly making your way up the steps into the school, this overwhelming feeling washed over me" Killian continued reaching for Emma's hand " I knew everything was going to be ok"
Emma stopped chewing for a moment frozen realising Killian was telling her something deep and personal. A moment he had keep to himself having never revealed much about what occupied his time while time stood still in Storybook for fifteen years. Except for a few movie marathons and unauthorised driving lessons.
"Days then weeks went by, I was confused and angry because time remained frozen, the curse was still in place" Killian continued.
"You thought you'd just drop the Storybook in my bag, and I'd figure it out" Emma retorted.
"I just didn't expect you to be so stubborn, I definitely didn't expect to fall in love" Killian replied.
"You come from the land of fairy tales, should have known the answer was love" Emma replied teasing.
"And yet, I never believed until I met you" Killian said.
Killian smiled before leaning in for a kiss placing his hand gently on Emma's check. Talking about their feelings wasn't always their strong suit and this worked much better. It was true even though Emma joked. There was fear behind her words, Killian was from another world so was everyone she loved, there was a part of them Emma would never fully understand. Killian stopped suddenly pulling away and Emma thought something was wrong for a moment. However, Killians expression wasn't one of agony but surprise.
"Dammit," Killian said looking at his watch.
"What" Emma said bemused.
"Come on" Killian said with smirk.
Standing up Killian quickly and brushing the crumbs off his pants and laid out his hand for Emma to take. They walked back to the car Killian was practically jogging, and Emma laughed as she was being dragged along. Starting up the car with hast he looked straight at the clock with a frustrated expression as it ticked over to 1135.
"Got somewhere to be" Emma said with a smile.
"Possibly" Killian said with a smirk.
Killian drove faster than usual and made their way back through town. Making a turn onto an unfamiliar road driving further into the great green landscape surrounding Storybroke. After five minutes of Killian dodging Emma's questions about what this little adventure was all about the turned onto a long winding driveway ahead was a beautiful mansion. It was just as Elsa and Anna had described grand and old. With a slightly off-putting vibe, as if they were entering another world one of mystery and magic. It was as if the mansion had awoken after Emma had pulled them out of the darkness. Emma turned to Killian as he continued to grin and raised her eyebrows at him. Parking the car and getting out signalling for Emma to stay seated. Killian came over to Emma's door opening it up and reaching out a hand for her to take. Killian pulled a blindfold out and Emma smiled excited for more surprises. Emma took her position in front of him, and Killian gently tied the blindfold around her eyes.
Emma, couldn't it see but she could here and the wasn't much noise, there was a peaceful quietness to the day. Emma felt secure gently guided along the right side of the house through the back gate into an alcove. There were many beautiful old trees hanging over them creating shade from the midday sun and Emma could hear the leaves crunching beneath her feet.
"Well, this sure is romantic" Emma said surprised.
"You should know by now, I'm full of surprises" Killian replied excited.
Killian leaned in kissing Emma's forehead, his lips soft and sweet and then they were gone. Emma stood waiting for him to take her hand once more, but nothing happened.
"Killian?" Emma said still giggling.
There was no answer and Emma heart began to race and she peeked out of her blindfold. Emma could see nothing in front of her no sign or sound of Killian. This absence of him felt so visceral and Emma looked around panicked.
"Killian" Emma said again her voice shaking ripping the blindfold from her eyes.
There was a figure slowly coming out from the shadows dressed like she had walked straight out of the pages of the Storybroke. It was hard to make out who it was as they began to step forward into the light revealing a large staff held in her hands with a glowing green orb at its top. Emma stood back and gasped never having seen the Storybook come to life and stand in front of her so dramatically.
"Look down dear" The witch said callus.
Emma was silent looking out the ground she could see it clearly now. What her mind didn't want her heart to know. The cobbled path below was littered with ash it moved in the light breeze and a few flakes were still making their way gracefully to the ground. Emma let out a gut-wrenching cry and feel to her knees placing her hands in the remains of her beloved. After a moment Regina burst out in the alcove from the back door of the mansion.
"What's.." Regina started to say.
Walking over to Emma in a beautiful black gown smiling until her eyes meet Emma's. It was clear something devastating had just happened from Emma pale anguished expression. Regina looked over to see who had caused this misery a figure walked out of the shadows her face distraught. Wearing a large purple cloak raising her hands up ready for another deadly strike, this time on Emma.
"You" Regina said shocked.
Looking at a distraught Emma who hadn't even noticed Regina's presence holding in her hands the ashes of Killian Jones. Tears pouring down her white checks practically immobile all the hope of happiness gone. Regina knelt in front of Emma grabbing her shoulders looking her over for injury as Emma was still yet to speak.
"Are you ok?" Regina said. " You hurt?"
As Emma failed to respond Regina's heart started to race and her mind stuttered trying to take all this information in. The look of devastation in Emma's eyes Regina knew she was hurting from the worst kind of pain imaginable. The type of heartbreak Regina was all too familiar with. Just as another beam of green light came towards them, they disappeared into a cloud of purple smoke. Wisped away to safety appearing again in the main street of Storybroke Mane. /span/p
"Emma, Emma" Regina said trying to get Emma to look at her.
Emma didn't say a word just looked up to Regina for help, her eyes distant and lost. All that remained of her Killian was dust in her hands. The devastation already building to anger in her heart.
"Breath Emma, breath" Regina said but her voice sounded distant.
"I can't" Emma said.
Emma stood up disorientated looking around to find herself standing in the main street in town. Ignoring Regina unable to care in this moment for anything or anyone. Emma was numb to her core, only one thing that got her to put on foot in front of the other. It was a tug a nag that Emma needed to move forward, and she suddenly broke into a run. It wasn't until the bell on the door rung that Emma realised, she was in the Pawn shop.
"Ms Swan" Mr Gold said greeting Emma.
Emma didn't say anything walking slowly towards the desk just trying to hold back the ocean of grief. Her hands where clenched and whole body was shaking.
"Can I help you with something?" Mr Gold said.
Knowing the grief in her eyes was tragic but also dangerous, Mr Gold stepped back his expression of sorrow. Emma just shook her head determination clear there was no price she wouldn't pay to see Killian again. The only words of the Dark One playing over in her mind were from months ago span "It's an hourglass flip it and it will give you an hour". An hour ago, she was lying in her bed waiting for sweet sixteenth birthday to begin. Standing in front of Mr Gold now, the wooden hourglass was all Emma could picture. Walking up casually breathing out just before her watch flicked over to noon Emma flipped it around and the sand started to fall. While Emma watched the sand trickle down her mind became clouded, and the world started to spin. The door burst open, and Regina walked in yelling something unintelligible before it all faded to white.
Notes: This story arc will be in four parts updated weekly, it took longer then planned but most of my procrastinating involved writing a new cs fic. Anyway been working on this for a while hope someone gets enjoyment out of it.