A/N: Hi! I hope you guys are ready for the next installment of "Second Chance!" It'll take me a couple days to get everything posted because there was quite a bit to unpack (and because I got a little carried away, lol). Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy!
"Swan! What's taking so long?" Killian called out from the kitchen. When she didn't answer, he walked over to her bedroom and stepped inside.
He quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head when he spied her on her knees as she reached into the back of her closet.
He stifled a chuckle as he headed over to her. He leaned against the wall and questioned, "Love, what are you doing?"
"Looking for - ugh - a square cake - humph - stand," Emma told him as she continued digging.
She then emerged a few moments later, cake stand in hand. She held it up and told him, "Now we can put Belle's cake on it."
"Mm-hmm," Killian hummed before he kissed her forehead. He then told her, "And now you can finish with the lemonade punch."
Emma quirked an eyebrow as she questioned, "You didn't just pick up where I left off - you were helping me after all."
He cocked his eyebrow as he posed, "You want me to take over your stubborn particular way of setting up everything?"
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She then told him, "You still could have helped."
"Whatever you say, love," Killian offered with a smirk. He received another eye roll.
The pair of them then walked back to the kitchen. Emma placed the stand on the table before she reached for the German chocolate cake.
She opened the lid to the box as she called out over her shoulder: "Killian, can you stir the punch?"
"Sure, love," he replied as he shuffled to the counter. He grabbed a wooden spoon before he grinned and teased, "Just don't drop the cake."
Emma rolled her eyes. She then carefully maneuvered the cake onto stand while Killian stirred the lemonade. When finished, he brought it over to the table.
He then tilted his head and asked, "Are you sure everything will fit on here, Swan?"
The blonde placed the pitcher beside the cake before she crossed her arms and peered over said table.
She then told her boyfriend, "Yeah. I mean, we only have the fruit tray, the meat and cheese tray, and then then eclairs."
Killian looked thoughtful for a few moments before he conceded, "You do have a point there."
He then nodded toward the refrigerator and offered, "Shall I gather the trays?"
Emma couldn't help but smile as she said, "Yeah. And thanks, Killian - I appreciate all the help you've given."
He returned her smile as he responded, "Of course. I was more than happy to do it."
He then pecked her cheek before he turned toward the refrigerator, while his girlfriend headed over to the counter and grabbed the golden paper plates and paper cups.
When they finished setting up the food and paper dishes - as well as utensils - Killian wrapped an arm around Emma's waist.
"Well, love, all that's left is for everyone to arrive."
"Mm-hmm," she hummed. "Oh!" she then exclaimed before she rushed back in her room.
Killian furrowed his eyebrows as he watched her. His expression remained one of confusion until she returned. Upon spying the gift box she held, he noted, "Ah, the teapot. Quite the present, Swan," a smile breaking out across his features.
He then gestured toward the coffee table and said, "I just left mine and August's over there - I figured she'd open them when she arrived."
He paused before he added, "And she can do the same as people arrive. I think she'd rather do it that way so she can individually thank everyone."
Emma couldn't help but smile as she said, "Yeah, that sounds like Belle. It's her party, but she's still gonna make sure everyone else feels a bit special, too."
Killian hummed as he kissed her head. He then surmised, "So, love, any ideas until the guests start to arrive?"
A light blush stained her cheeks. She then said, "I do, actually. Uh, maybe?"
He couldn't help but grin as he teased, "You're rather adorable when you're all nervous and flustered."
With a smack to his chest, Emma told him, "You're not helping, Killian."
"Sorry, love," he apologized with a chuckle. He then took a breath and asked, "What is it?" running his hands up and down her arms.
"Well," Emma began as she ran her fingers through the hair at his neck, "I was thinking we could dance if you're up for it."
Killian smiled as he spoke, "Any moment I can hold you in my arms is one I'll enjoy immensely, my love."
Emma smiled back as she replied, "Good," planting a sweet kiss on his cheek.
When she pulled back, she continued, "I was thinking we could dance to "Faithfully". Though I never would have admitted it that day at the beach, I think I had already realized I wanted to be with you. Maybe even before that."
For a moment, Killian only stared at his girlfriend. He then cleared his throat and questioned, "Really, Swan? And you, uh, like that song for us?" desperately resisting the urge to scratch behind his ear.
Emma furrowed her eyebrows as she asked, "Are you alright, Killian?"
"Of course, Swan. Why would you think otherwise?"
Even as he tried to appear calm and nonchalant, he drummed his fingers against his thigh and shifted his gaze around the room.
With a quirk of her eyebrow, the blonde posed, "I know you, Killian. I know you're nervous about something."
She then took a deep breath and told him, "But you know I won't force you to talk about it," a sweet smile blossoming across her features.
Killian smiled back at her. He then took a breath and asked her, "But I still would like to know, Swan - do you truly like "Faithfully" for us?"
With a nod - and another sweet smile - Emma answered, "Yeah. We've had some ups and downs over the last year - and even before we started dating - but that never stopped us from fighting for each other."
Killian's heart swelled in his chest. Now he couldn't wait to sing to her.
Without warning, he then swept her into his arms and pressed a sweet kiss against her lips. She smiled into the kiss before she threaded her fingers through his dark hair.
When they pulled away, they rested their foreheads against each other. Killian caressed her cheek as he gushed, "I just love it when you're the romantic, Swan."
She blushed and hid her face in his chest. She then took a breath and told him, "You bring out the romantic in me," a smile playing across her features.
He smiled before he kissed her cheek. He then snaked his arms around her waist and asked, "Shall we dance, Swan?"
"Mm-hmm," Emma hummed as she smiled. She then slipped her phone from her pocket and selected "Faithfully." Once she placed the device on the counter, she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's neck.
Killian's arms stayed draped around her waist, and he tightened his grip, squeezing ever so slightly.
As the heartfelt lyrics began to surround the couple, they began to hold each other closer. They became lost in the moment as Emma laid her head on his chest, and Killian ran his hand up and down her back.
As they continued to sway, she let out a contented sigh. "I really love our moments like this."
She then looked up and said, "Even if I'm not always the best at showing it."
Killian placed a finger under her chin as he told her, "Emma, love, don't you know by now that you're bloody amazing? I'm a fan of every part of you."
Emma smiled before she brought her lips closer to his. With a smile of his own, he leaned down and cupped the back of her head.
Knock, knock then sounded at the door, forcing the couple apart.
"Bloody hell," Killian complained, "Can't we just ignore them?"
Emma giggled. She then told him, "Not unless we want to keep everyone waiting."
She then pecked his cheek and assured him, "But we can pick it up later, love," the endearment rolling teasingly off her tongue.
He couldn't help but smile and shake his head as she walked over to the door. She opened it to find Brennan on the other side.
He held his hands behind his back as he greeted, "Hello, Emma. I hope I'm not too early?"
She smiled as she assured him, "You are the first one here, but you're pretty much right on time."
He nodded before she stepped aside and let him in the apartment. He then noticed the presents that sat on the coffee table.
He then lifted up a small bag and surmised, "Shall I place Belle's present with the others?"
"You got her a present?" came Killian's surprised voice. He then scratched behind his ear and spoke, "It's just that, uh, it was rather short notice."
Brennan offered his son a small smile as he told him, "It's only a small gesture, but I believe it says a lot."
Killian smiled back before he asked, "So, what did you get her?"
Brennan held up the bag as he answered, "I know she rather enjoys hot tea, so I got her a tin of English Breakfast."
"That's one of her favorites," Emma chimed in as she leaned against the door. She then walked over to her boyfriend and slipped an arm around his waist.
She then offered Brennan a smile and told him, "I know she'll love it. And yeah, you can put it over there with the others."
He nodded before he continued into the living room, dropping the bag onto the table. He then glanced over in the kitchen.
With a smile, Brennan surmised, "Everything looks wonderful, and the cake is lovely. You did a great job, Emma."
She only gave a one-shoulder shrug as she said, "I mean, it wasn't that big of a deal to put together for Belle. She's like a sister to me."
Killian kissed her head before he spoke, "You are way too modest, love. We all know that Belle will adore this."
Emma couldn't help but smile. Another knock then sounded at the door; her smile grew as she said, "Speaking of, that's probably the birthday girl now."
She then walked over to the door and opened to reveal her best friend and her boyfriend.
With a bright smile, the brunette wrapped her in a hug. While still embraced, she spoke, "Thank you for the party. I'm so looking forward to it."
"You're welcome," Emma told her before they pulled away. She then smiled and added, "And happy birthday."
Belle returned her smile before she and August stepped into the apartment, as Emma shut the door behind them.
Killian then greeted his sister with a hug. "Happy birthday, love."
"Thank you," she told him. When they pulled away, the two of them shared a smile.
Belle then locked eyes with her father. He slowly approached her before he said, "Happy birthday. I'm glad I could be here."
She couldn't help but smile. She then spoke, "I'm glad you could come, too, Brennan."
He offered her a smile and a nod. Her blue eyes then lit up when she spied the presents.
"Oh, you guys, thank you so much," Belle gushed as she smiled brightly. August slipped an arm around her waist.
He then suggested, "You can open them now if you want."
With a grin and a knowing look, she teased, "You just want me to open yours."
August only grinned back and kissed her head. Killian then supplied, "Perhaps he does, but we all also know that getting presents is only part of the equation for you."
Belle smiled. She then said, "Then, I guess I'll get started." Once she walked over to the couch and sat down, her family joined her.
She tilted her head as she wondered which one to open first.
She then grabbed the blue and silver bag. Once in her hand, she read the tag and recognized her brother's familiar handwriting.
She pulled out the tissue paper, a smile overtaking her features as she peered inside.
Belle pulled out the novel and read aloud, "A Collection by Charles Dickens." Her eyes then roamed down the cover as she gazed upon the individual titles.
With bright eyes, she then looked over at her brother. "Thank you, Killian. I love it so much - it's perfect."
He smiled at her as he replied, "You're very welcome, love. I knew you'd love to add those to your collection."
Belle hummed her reply. August then teased, "Although I'm pretty sure she'll have to rearrange her bookshelf - again - just to fit this one book," as he playfully squeezed her arm.
She rolled her eyes while August - as well as Killian, Emma, and Brennan - all let out a chuckle.
Belle then ran her fingers over the cover and along the spine, a fond smile overtaking her features.
She then placed it aside and shifted her gaze back to the remaining presents. She tilted her head before she grabbed the wrapped box.
"I hope you like it," Emma commented as she leaned a bit out from her boyfriend's side.
Before Belle could answer, a knock came from outside the door. Emma then rose from the couch and strolled over to answer it.
Over her shoulder, she called out, "You can open it." Belle only hummed as Emma grabbed the knob.