Sunday had passed by in a blur of lazy happiness.
Monday
Scone, Your Grace?
Thank you, William.
Almost forgot the Farmer's Bounty, Your Grace.
Is there anything more delectable than fresh creamery butter? I say there is and you'll agree when you sample fat-free Farmer's Bounty
with the genuine essence of creamery butter in every bite. With every mouthful of Farmer's Bounty you shall receive butter's luxurious comfort in your mouth without adding to the luxury of your waistline. Next time you are at your market, pick up some Farmer's Bounty."
The director said into the ear piece, "Now take a bite and smile."
Killian did as he was told, and took the bite. He chewed and hid his distaste as he moaned for the benefit of the camera.
"Cut!" the director shouted.
Killian's nose wrinkled. "Excuse me, is this a sample of Farmer's Bounty?"
"Yes, it is," the man behind the camera mumbled as he reviewed the footage.
"This thing tastes like saddle soap. This is disgusting!" Killian's outraged voice attracted the director's attention.
"Don't worry about the taste. It's a paycheck." The director rolled his eyes. He hated divas.
Killian scoffed and walked out.
The director yelled after him. "Hey, we need another shot! Come back!"
Emma walked outside, hoping Killian was there. She relaxed when she found him. "Killian, they need you back in there. They need to shoot the rest of the spot."
"I want no part in it." Killian crossed his arms like a petulant child.
"Why, what's the problem?" Emma asked, slightly annoyed.
"Love, have you tasted it?" he replied, disgusted.
"Farmer's Bounty? Yeah, I have." She didn't understand why he was so upset.
"Aye, it's revoltingly disgusting!"
"I know. It's diet," she stated as if that was enough reason.
Killian took a step towards Emma. "You know it's disgusting, yet you have no qualms enlisting me to endorse it?"
Emma pinched the bridge of her nose. "Killian, diet products are awful. I don't understand, what is the problem?"
"The bloody problem is that for no reason beyond my affection for you, I find myself peddling pond scum to an unsuspecting public."
"Killian, you have to suck it up and finish what you started. The stakes are very high for me. If you don't go back in there, I get into a lot of trouble."
"Emma, love, this is the highest level of bad form. How can you be happy at a job that has you refining lies until they resemble truth? What has happened to the world? You have every comfort and convenience, yet no time for integrity." Killian didn't hide his disappointment.
"I really don't have time for pious speeches by 200-year-old men who've had everything handed to them. I've been paying dues all of my life and I'm tired. If I have to peddle a little pond scum to get a little rest, then so be it."
"Very well. As you wish."
With those final words, he went back inside to finish the spot.
The bliss they had shared over the weekend was now forgotten as they rode home from filming. Emma and Killian were silent for most of the ride. The argument over the disgusting margarine had caused a rift between them and it had made it clear they were very different people. Both of them stared out their window.
"We were lying to ourselves. It's better this way. You will return home soon. We should face the fact that we don't know each other. It was just a one-time thing," she said as she looked out the window.
Killian turned to face her. "You still don't believe I am the man I claim to be?"
Emma sighed. "We made a great memory. That's all."
The rest of the ride was silent. Killian couldn't believe how quick her walls came up. He would have to wait for a chance to plead his case. It was obvious the conversation was over for now. They spent the remainder of the day apart in subdued contemplation. She was at work and him at home enjoying Jefferson's rum.
Jefferson was in the activity room as he stared out the window of the psych ward at the hospital.
He should have kept his mouth shut, but time is of the essence; he had to get Killian back to his time. He was annoyed at the doctor and everyone in the place. No one believed him!
One of the mental patients sat in front of him and slowly set up a board game. He did the most childish thing he has ever done and flipped the board, tossing the game pieces all over the floor as he glared at the other man. The man cowardly picked up his game and walked to a different table.
Jefferson noticed the nurse approach him hesitantly.
Jefferson scoffed. "Priscilla, did you know dogs are colorblind?"
She took his question as an invitation and smiled kindly as she took a seat across from him. "No, I didn't."
"Well, they are. They cannot see color just like we cannot see time passing by. By some miracle, I found a way to see it, but no one believes me."
"I believe you," she said and his heart leaped.
He explained how he had done it and the importance of him getting Killian home. She paid close attention and granted him the freedom he desperately needed.
Jefferson left the hospital with newfound hope. He still had time to get Killian back to his time to meet his future bride.
Jefferson arrived at his apartment only to find Killian passed out on the sofa in a state of undress. Cat slept next to him. The faxed letter he found broke his heart.
Killian started to wake up.
Jefferson smiled. "Looks like some things happened while I was gone." He sighed. "I'm sorry, but you have to go back. You cannot stay here because if you do, you will alter history. I'm sorry. I'm lucky I was able to come back while the portal was still open."
Killian knew Jefferson was right. He wished he could stay here with Emma, but that was not an option. Killian dressed in his old clothes. The pain he felt in his heart was so great. How could he leave Emma? But Jefferson was right. They were on borrowed time and now it was time to go back. He pet Cat one last time as her tail waggled in excitement.
Jefferson turned to Killian as they walked to their destination. "I'm sorry it has to be this way. I have to tell you what to expect to see when you are back. You'll be going back to the same day you left, so you might be repeating a few things. You might even see me." Jefferson laughed nervously. "Just don't follow me this time."
Killian nodded his agreement. This was it. He found love only to lose it. Part of him wanted to say to hell with the consequences, but it was not just about them. He had to follow good form.
Before he knew it, Killian arrived back in his time and made his way back to the house he shared with his brother. This was no longer his home, though; no, his home was years in the future. He tried to not attract too much attention. He arrived early enough to notice his brother talking to the oldest Arendelle daughter.
Killian recognized the look on his brother's face; it was the same one he had when he looked at Emma. He was smitten with the lass.
Emma was distracted at the office. She wanted to talk to Killian and fix things, but right now she had to make sure her job was secure. It was not just about her; David depended on her.
Mary Margaret knocked on the door.
Emma was startled by the intrusion, but quickly recovered and directed her to enter.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but Mr. Oz wants to see you. I tried calling but the line kept ringing. Is everything okay?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I was just a little distracted. Did he say what he wanted to talk to me about?" Emma asked as she stood up to go talk to her boss.
"No, he didn't. I will call and let him know you are on your way. Oh, and I picked up your dress for tonight," Mary Margaret said with a wide smile, leaving the bag on the chair.
Emma waited to be announced by Walsh's assistant. Her mind drifted to Killian. She shouldn't miss him as much as she does.
"You can enter," the woman said.
Emma entered and smiled. "Walsh, you wanted to see me?"
He gestured for her to take a seat.
"I have to admit I was hesitant on your choice for the Farmer's Bounty commercial. It was a good choice. I was impressed by how you put out the fire caused by Mr. Duke. He apparently has a bit of an ego on him. I made my decision. You will be getting the promotion. You've earned it. This will be your office. I will make it official tonight at the merger celebration."
Emma was in shock. "Thank you." She was speechless.
She left his office after he stated he needed to sign the papers for the merger. She had done it and she couldn't wait to tell the good news to Killian.
Mary Margaret greeted her as she approached her office.
"I got it, MM!" Emma said as she rushed inside with Mary Margaret following close behind.
Mary Margaret smiled wide at the news.
Emma rushed to her phone. "MM do you mind? I would like to make a call."
Mary Margaret simply closed the door after her.
Emma waited for the ringing to stop but once it did, it wasn't Killian's voice she heard, but Jefferson's prompt to leave a message.
"You've reached Jefferson, please leave a message."
"Hello? Killian, where are you? If you're there… Pick up. I did it!
I got the job! Please call me. I'm sorry about how things went earlier. You were the first person I wanted to share the news with. I miss you. I wish I could see you tonight, but I have this work thing. I really miss you."
David entered Jefferson's place with the spare key.
"Killian, I have the photos Jefferson wanted to have developed," David said as he placed the keys down. There was no answer. Interesting. David walked further inside the apartment expecting to find a slumbering Killian with Cat on the floor sleeping as well. Instead, he found Jefferson sitting dejectedly on the couch.
"Jeff, hey man. How are you feeling? Where's Killian?"
"He went home," Jefferson replied in a low voice.
David sighed, disappointed. "Jeff, I have the photos you wanted."
Jefferson nodded.
David opened the envelope and started flipping through the pictures and gasped. "He was telling the truth. Oh my God, Jeff, you have to see this!"
Jefferson looked up from his place.
David showed him the pictures.
Liam had scrambled to keep the guests happy. He had made small talk with the ladies while hoping to capture his brother's attention. What he had not counted on was one of them capturing his.
Liam spotted Smee.
"Smee, where is Killian?"
Smee stuttered. "I last saw him in his quarters. I will fetch him."
Liam sighed. "No, go make sure to leave another case of the Chateau Marid. I'll go get him."
"Yes, sir."
Liam entered Killian's unlocked quarters.
Killian was staring at his image in the mirror with a clenched jaw.
"Brother, I don't want to fight."
"Liam, just tell me which one of the lasses do you want me to marry?"
Liam stood quiet for a moment. "Elsa Arendelle is the best match."
Killian noticed his brother's reaction as he provided the name.
"Are you sure?"
"Killian, trust me, she will make a good wife."
"Alright, I will fetch the ring and I will announce the engagement at midnight," Killian said begrudgingly.
Liam nodded and left the room.
Killian should try to fight his brother's insistence on him finding a wife, but he now knew that it was inevitable. Jefferson was proof he had no choice.
"You look beautiful Emma!" Mary Margaret beamed. "Oh, here is the invitation and Jefferson called a few times."
"Thank you. I don't have time for Jeff right now. I will deal with him later. I don't want to be late," Emma said as she made her way to the elevator.
Emma pressed the elevator button and it roared to life. She tried to distract herself from the nauseous feeling that churned. Her eyes watered as they landed on the simple decal that read SMEE and what it meant.
The car drove Emma to a familiar place.
"Excuse me. I think this is the wrong place," she said to her driver.
"This is the address I was given to drive you to," the driver replied with a smile as he exited the car and opened the door for her. "Have a nice evening."
Emma reached the front door and handed the doorman her invitation.
Once inside, she greeted her coworkers with a small smile. It was such a contrast to days ago when Killian dragged her inside with excitement to be able to share some small part of himself with her.
She replied cordially to the congratulations she was receiving for her promotion, but she wished to hear them from Killian. She hadn't known him long, but he made her feel like she couldn't fail at anything she put her mind to.
She had tried doing the small talk, but all the elevator comments made her feel uneasy.
She ventured past the portrait of his family and she went to the same room he had claimed as his quarters.
Jefferson and David were in a taxi on their way to the address MM had given to David. She was going to meet them there to gain access.
"I thought that I had twisted fate and it had to be untwisted. I never considered that the whole thing is a kismetic inevitability. I was supposed to go to the past, Killian was always meant to follow me then go back, but now Emma has to go back too," Jefferson explained to David as they reached their destination.
Jefferson tossed the payment for the ride to the driver and they both exited the vehicle.
David looked around to see if Mary Margaret had arrived but he couldn't find her. They were cutting it too close.
"Jefferson, we can't wait any longer. Just let me do the talking," David said as he tugged Jefferson along.
The towering, all business doorman blocked the door as they tried to sneak by. "Invitation please," he said in a stern voice,
"Lance, hello!" a sweet voice said from behind. "They are here with me. I have my boss's IPad with her speech. You know, she is going to be the big honcho. I know we don't have an invitation, but I'm sure she would appreciate it if you let us pass."
Lance smiled. "I'm going to get in trouble for this, but I owe you. You helped me get the job. Fine." He moved out of the way, and David, Jefferson, and Mary Margaret went inside.
"We should split up." Mary Margaret said.
Mary Margaret and David looked downstairs. Walsh was about to take the stage to start the festivities.
Jefferson went up the stairs two steps at a time. He found Emma lost in her thoughts.
"Emma we need to talk and it's important," Jefferson said as he closed the door to have some privacy.
Emma groaned when she noticed who it was.
"I'm sure whatever it is, it can wait. I have to get downstairs," Emma said as she swiftly moved past him.
"You have to look at these pictures. I think there was a reason we became friends. I was supposed to help you find your guy... Killian. You have to go back."
"How?" she asked.
"You have to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge in the next twenty-five minutes," Jefferson answered.
Emma stopped next to the door then she heard her name being called downstairs. "I have to go."
"Emma, just look at the pictures," Jefferson said as he reached her and handed the envelope to her.
She grabbed the envelope and took off running downstairs.
Walsh was in front of a podium in front of the whole company. "Is there a… a Emma Nolan in the house?"
Emma bursts in. "I'm here!"
"Without further ado, meet the new senior vice president of our New York offices. Ladies and gentlemen... Emma Nolan," Walsh said as he stepped aside for Emma to take her place.
"Thank you, Walsh." She smiled at the crowd and the invited guests. "Wow. It's been a great night." She took a big breath. "We have always considered ourselves to be in the 'Find what people want' business, but now we will be in the 'Make what people want' business as well. Our customers... will be able to get exactly... what they... they want." She was flipping through the photos and ended on one that made no sense. She was looking at herself in the past. She stammered. "And, it's a great thing to... to get what you want. Unless what you thought you wanted wasn't really what you wanted because you never knew what you wanted because you couldn't imagine it was possible. But what if someone came along who knew what you wanted without asking? Like they could read your thoughts because you were an open book to them and they loved you but you hesitated?" Emma's eyes met Jefferson's, who was standing beside David and MM. "I'm sorry, I have to go." She ran to the trio and they made their way out.
The group found a taxi quickly. On the way, Emma asked Jefferson to explain how it was possible that she was in the pictures. The simple answer was that she was going to be there.
They arrived at the Brooklyn Bridge and ran to the point where Jefferson said the portal was.
"We are cutting it too close. Emma, this is the hard part. You have to cross the girder, Emma," Jefferson said.
"I can't cross that girder!" Emma exclaimed.
"You love him, right?" David asked.
"I do," she answered her brother.
"That's all you need to know. Now go find your happy ending," Mary Margaret said with teary eyes.
"You'll be fine. Ems..." David said with watery eyes.
"Oh David, I can't go. I can't leave you!" Emma said, crying.
"Ems, I'm not alone. I have Mary Margaret and Jefferson. You have to stop worrying about everyone else. The portal is going to close. Find Killian and be happy!" David said as he grabbed Mary Margaret's hand.
"David, I will love you forever! I will never forget any of you!" Emma turned away, crossed the girder, and jumped.
Emma was a little disoriented at first. She had made it to the past. She looked around to find her footing. She took off running towards Killian's house. She was lucky it wasn't that far from the bridge.
At the door, a stuffy man stood in her way. "I'm sorry, madam, but this is a private affair."
Emma looked behind him. "No, you don't understand. I have to get inside right now..."
Smee approached the voices at the door. "What seems to be the problem?"
"Are you Mr. Smee?" Emma asked hopefully.
She told him how Killian told her he had talked about taking a leap.
Liam stood in the center of the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is with a glad heart that I proudly introduce my beloved brother Killian. He will be making an announcement that will be a cause to play the bridal waltz."
Liam stepped aside and his eyes landed on Elsa.
Killian smiled at the guests. "Please raise your glasses… so we may toast to my bride-to-be. The woman whose happiness shall be my solemn duty to maintain. The future Duchess of Albany..."
Emma pushed her way to the front. Their eyes met. He smiled brightly. "Emma Nolan. Of the Nolans of?"
Emma smiled. "Storybrooke, Maine."
They walked towards each other, exchanging 'I love yous' before sharing a chaste kiss and a dance of the bridal waltz.
Liam stood still in disbelief.
Elsa approached him with a smile. "I guess that just leaves you."
:|:
A sleepy girl yawned.
"And that, Gracie, is how your great-great-great grandparents met and lived happily ever after..." Jefferson said lovingly.