The Groom's Side—pt. 1 of 2

CS Genre: Deleted scene (pt. 1) and Canon divergence (pt. 2) from 6x19 and 6x20

Killian laid back upon his small bunk in the captain's quarters and closed his eyes, hoping the gentle swaying of the Jolly would sooth him to sleep. So many emotions swirled inside as his mind played over the events of the past weeks and as he looked forward to the events of tomorrow.

Tomorrow he married his True Love, his soul mate, the love of his life, and the one to whom every beat of his heart belonged.

Killian smiled to himself, thinking of the way Swan would gently tease him for using such "sappy" language, and yet the look in her eye would prove she loved, craved every moment of it.

Turning over and punching his pillow, Killian tried to find a comfortable position. He and Swan had only been sharing a bed for a few weeks now, but he was surprised at how hard it was to go to sleep without her beside him. Her warmth, the softness of her hair tickling his chest as she pillowed her head against him, the delicate scent of vanilla from the shampoo she preferred, the rhythmic sound of her breathing as she slumbered. He missed it all.

Killian heaved out a frustrated sigh. One night. He could handle one night to appease superstition, and then he need never be parted from her again. She would be his wife, and he her husband. They would be bound together for all eternity. (He rather liked the version of the vows Archie had proposed.)

So aye, he felt joy, excitement, anticipation, but he could not deny that a small, niggling part of him felt something resembling melancholy as well.

A wedding was a family affair, a chance for two families to come together and celebrate the way they've now become connected. Emma had a family and an entire town behind her, and Killian couldn't be happier for his fiancée. The lonely lost girl had finally found her home and her family, and it warmed Killian more than he could say.

He only wished he had more than Smee and the handful of his remaining crew to be seated on the groom's side of the wedding venue.

"How I wish you could be here, brother," he murmured.

He was grateful beyond words he'd been able to see Liam once more in the Underworld, to bid him a proper farewell and see him sail off into his eternal reward, but somehow seeing him again brought his current absence into stark clarity in a way it hadn't in centuries.

Aye, Liam had been more than suspicious of Emma at first, but he'd come to accept her place, her importance in Killian's life, and Killian believed if the two people he loved most in all the realms had had a chance to truly come to know each other, they would have become fast friends.

But it was not to be. Liam and their parents were gone, Nemo and Liam the younger beyond the reach of communication. Killian took a deep breath and slowly let it out. It mattered not if his loved ones were not present at his wedding. It would still be the single happiest moment of his life.

Best he dwell on what he did have—which was a far sight more than he felt he deserved after his centuries of villainy—rather than on what he didn't

Riiiiiiiiiiiing!

Killian jumped at the sudden wailing of his talking device, his heart racing in his chest, and his hand instinctively reaching for his discarded hook. He laughed to himself as he took the small phone in his hand instead and peered down at the display.

Henry.

Killian smiled to himself, swiping across the green circle on the screen as Swan had showed him.

"Lad?" he asked loudly, "what brings you to the talking phone at this time of the evening?"

Jeez, Killian! Henry replied, You know you don't have to shout into the phone, right? And it's just phone. Not talking phone.

Killian rolled his eyes good naturedly. "Aye, so you've said. Repeatedly. Anything I can help you with tonight?"

Henry was silent for a moment.

No. Everything's fine. It's just weird without you here. Somehow the house feels huge with just me and mom.

"I miss you and your mother as well," Killian said, "but traditions must be kept. No sense in inviting bad luck to our marriage by seeing the bride before the wedding."

So, I was thinking, Henry said, after the honeymoon and everything, maybe you and I can have a guy's day. I was hoping maybe you could teach me more about your ship and sailing and stuff. Then maybe we could order pizza and I could beat you at a few video games.

Killian grinned. "I'll have you know, I've improved tremendously at that device. Don't be surprised if it's I who emerges victorious."

Henry laughed on the other end of the line. Dream on, Killian. You don't stand a chance.

"We shall see about that."

Anyway, then maybe Mom can join us, and we can start that Star Wars marathon I've been wanting to do. I mean…that is if you want to. I know you and mom will want to have your alone time and stuff, and you won't want an annoying kid hanging around…

Killian shook his head vehemently, even though the lad couldn't see. "That's where you're wrong, Henry. Aye, I love your mother more than my very life, and we'll wish to spend some alone time together, but tomorrow I'll not only be gaining a wife, I'll also be gaining a stepson, and I couldn't be more delighted that that stepson is you. Don't ever think I consider you an 'annoying kid'. I'd be honored to spend a guy's day with you."

Cool! Henry answered. Well, I guess I better go. Big day tomorrow; I should probably head to bed.

"Goodnight lad."

Killian swiped the button that would disconnect the call and then placed the device on his bedside table, a grin on his face.

Laying back down, he attempted to get comfortable.

He'd just begun to drift off when the blasted talking phone began wailing once more.

"Aye?" he bit out, trying to keep the annoyance from his voice. These 'cell phones' were useful inventions, but they could also be bloody annoying.

Killian! Good, you're still up, came the chipper voice of the Lady Snow. You got time to talk a few last minute wedding details?

Killian blew out a breath. Snow had taken her role as mother of the bride seriously, and the last few days had been a non-stop parade of preparations. She wanted her only daughter's wedding to be perfect. Killian couldn't fault her for that. After all, Swan was the most bloody brilliant woman in the world; she deserved the best. And though she had grumbled a bit about all the fuss Snow was making and how inconvenient it all was, Killian knew his future wife well. He knew she secretly loved every moment of it, loved the fact that she had this moment that for nearly three decades she believed she'd never have.

"Aye," Killian said finally. "I've the time. What more needs to be done?"

Well, I was looking for my wedding dress, hoping Emma would choose to wear it for the ceremony, and it suddenly occurred to me. What are you planning to wear to the wedding?

Killian shrugged. "I hadn't thought much about it. I suppose I'll wear my pirate leathers. Perhaps I'll pair it with the red brocade vest Emma seems to prefer."

Prefer it she did, Killian recalled with a smile. She called it his 'red vest of sex', and days on which he wore it always seemed to culminate in quite enjoyable activities.

That won't do at all! You can't wear your pirate outfit for your wedding!

She sounded as scandalized as she would if Killian had suggested he attend his wedding in the nude. "I'm afraid I've very few other clothing options befitting a formal occasion."

Well, you're in luck. I found the perfect suit for you. I'll put it in your cabin tomorrow morning before I head over to Emma's to help her get ready.

"My thanks," he said gratefully.

It's what a mom does, Snow said. So how are you feeling tonight? Any pre-wedding jitters?

He shook his head. "Not a one. If I'd had my way, I'd have wed your daughter the moment we landed back in Storybrooke after our adventure in Neverland."

He heard her utter a soft "Aw!"

Killian, she said, I just wanted to let you know that I've never seen Emma as happy as she's been with you. I'm honored that tomorrow you'll be an official member of the family.

His heart warmed. "I doubt you'd be saying the same when we first met," he quipped.

She laughed softly through the phone. Who would have thought that flirtatious villain, only out for himself would turn out to be one of the most honorable men I know, save for my own husband, of course.

Killian laughed and then sobered. "You've no idea how much it means to hear you say that, Your Majesty."

Stop with the Your Majesty stuff, she playfully chided. Come tomorrow, I'll be your mother-in-law.

"Well then, you've no idea how much it means to hear you say that, Mummy."

She laughed again. "Good night Killian. Get some sleep; big day tomorrow."

"Aye, aye."

Killian had barely replaced the talking phone on his bedside table when it began ringing again. He sighed. For someone who'd been nothing but an outsider for centuries, he certainly had a lot of people wishing to talk to him tonight.

"Aye?" he asked.

Killian, came the clearly exasperated voice at the other end of the line, I know Snow's going to call you tonight about a tux for the wedding, just, ugh! You don't have to wear it, okay? It's awful.

Killian grinned. "Well hello to you too, Dave. I'm doing splendidly. Thanks for asking."

David blew out a long breath. Sorry, it's just…I love my wife with all my heart, but sometimes she can get an idea in her head and she's like a dog with a bone. There's no talking her out of it.

Killian laughed. "I suspect it would be rather bad form to comment upon that, mate."

David barked a laugh. Probably so.

"So what exactly is so terrible about this garment your wife wishes me to wear for the wedding?"

You see, Snow had this big idea, David began, about what you wear to the wedding being symbolic, a sign you've change and become a good man. That sort of thing. So she stopped by The Brave Little Tailor's, and found this entirely white tux. It's terrible. Not you at all.

Killian winced. "It does sound rather unpleasant, but if it's what I need to do to marry your daughter, I can bear it, I suppose."

See, that's just what I'm saying, David said, the annoyance clear in his voice once more. You don't need to wear it. It's your wedding. Yours and Emma's. You should be allowed to wear anything you want. Just wanted to let you know you don't have to feel like you need to appease Snow.

"Many thanks."

There was a pause on the line, and Killian was about to bid the prince goodnight, when he suddenly spoke again, softly, almost hesitantly.

Killian…

"Aye?"

Look, I know we kind of had a rocky start, but I feel like we've become friends through the years.

Killian smiled. "Glad to hear it, mate. I feel quite the same."

I just wanted to let you know tomorrow doesn't have to change that. I know I'll be your father-in-law, but I want you to know we can still be friends. You know kick back at The White Rabbit every now and then. Hang out, that sort of thing.

"I would like that," Killian said, realizing that he meant every word of it. Save for Emma, David was probably the best friend he'd ever had.

Good, and if there's anything you want to know, you know, about married life and stuff, well, I'm not the expert, but I'd be happy to give you whatever advice I can.

Killian grinned wickedly. "Why Dave, are you offering to give me pointers for the wedding night?"

At the other end of the phone, David (predictably) sputtered irately. NO! Gods, no! Killian, I'm telling you right here and now I never want to hear about what you and my daughter do behind closed doors. In fact, I'm gonna pretend you do nothing more than play scrabble. Yep, that's it. Emma is still pure as the wind driven snow.

Killian laughed heartily. "How precisely do you think she came to have Henry, then."

David laughed. Hey, we're from a magical realm, live in a magical town right now. Who's to say Henry wasn't the result of Neal giving Emma some sort of…magical flower or something? That's what happened. You won't convince me otherwise.

Killian laughed again. "Very well. I shall dispense with sharing details with you that will disprove your magic flower of fertility theories."

David laughed.

"In all seriousness, though, thank you. I've no doubt I will benefit from your advice as the years go on."

After a few more pleasantries the call came to an end, the smile still firmly plastered across Killian's face. He felt better, much better. Perhaps he wouldn't have his blood relations present at his wedding, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be surrounded by family.

Killian considered placing the phone back on the bedside table, but then thought better of it. There was yet one more person whose voice he simply must hear before he could sleep. If he couldn't spend the night with her, perhaps he could at least fall asleep to the beloved sound of her voice. He tapped on his phone for a few moments, and then hit the "Emma" button.

Notes:

-Okay, this chapter didn't have much CS, and even less with them actually interacting, but it's the night before the wedding, and Killian is thinking about how much he loves her, so I figured it still counted as a CS Fluffy Fridays story.

-One thing about the CS wedding that disappointed me was the fact that Killian had almost no one important to him present. Not even his one remaining family member. I know Killian's used to being alone, but I can't help but imagine the fact that his family was not present at such a family event as a wedding caused him a little bit of pain.

-Up next: (Next week, fingers crossed!) The wedding day with a bit of canon divergence—mainly the fact that The Black Fairy has really been defeated and doesn't, you know, cast a curse in the middle of their reception. Beyond that, Killian's future in-laws have a surprise up their sleeves.