Emma Swan grew up loved but that wasn't always the case. As a baby, she was found on the side of the road wrapped in a blanket with her name on it. She was taken to Child Protective Services and soon after was adopted by the Swans, a family unable to have children of their own. Three years later a miracle happened in the shape of a baby of their own, and they found themselves overwhelmed and decided to return Emma.
Emma was soon after adopted by Midas Goldman and his beloved wife Rosalind. They fell in love with precocious Emma. A few years after finding Emma the stork paid them a visit in the form of a little girl Kathryn. Happiness filled the Goldman household until the unexpected loss of the matron of the family saddened the home.
Emma's adoptive family had embraced her as one of them easily. Not long after her adoptive mother Rosalind passed away. Emma took it upon herself to be strong and help her father care for her younger sister Kathryn. Seeing her father's broken heart over his late wife's death and his trouble functioning after her loss, Emma took it upon herself to care for her family.
Emma had loved weddings since the very first wedding she had attended. It had been a beautiful day at the old church with an enchanting garden. It was the first family outing after the loss of Rosalind. The cathedral was full of close friends and family. It was the day a distant cousin's nuptials were to take place. After helping her cousin fix an unfortunate accident with her dress Emma was asked to carry the wedding gown train, and that moment she realized she had helped someone on the most important day of their life. That was when she fell in love with weddings. The very idea of finding one's happy ending and pledging to be with them forever was perfect in her eyes. She felt it was her calling to help the ones she loved to find their happy endings.
Emma stood in front of a long mirror wearing a beautiful wedding dress. She twirled and smiled wide at the reflection staring back at her.
"Oh my god, Emma you look so beautiful!" Johanna, the seamstress, said while putting the finishing touches on the dress.
"The bride is on the phone for you, Emma."
"Oh, thank you. Hello, Mary Margaret. Yes, they hemmed the dress and it's done. We're lucky we are the same size. I'll be on my way. Don't worry about anything. It's your day." Emma turned to Johanna and her assistant, and said with a smile. "Thank you."
Emma rushed out of the bridal shop to get to the church.
"Ems, wait for me," Ruby said as she caught up with Emma.
Emma smiled at her friend. "Hey, Ruby. Come on before MM freaks out."
"I know, I know." Ruby grinned wolfishly. "Ems, before we get in there I get dibs on the hottest groomsman."
Emma rolls her eyes. "Can't you keep it in your pants, just for once?"
"Nope, why else would I agree to wear this ridiculous dress, but to have someone take it off with his teeth?"
"It's not that bad, Ruby," Emma scoffed.
"I know, I know. You can shorten them and wear them again." Ruby put an arm around Emma's shoulder and giggled as they entered the church.
Mary Margaret stood in front of the mirror wearing her princess-like dress. She was about to marry her Prince Charming in a couple of minutes and everything was perfect thanks to her maid of honor and close friend: her savior, Emma.
Lamentably, the day was going to be a long one for Emma. Her friends had decided to get married on the same day. Helping them both have their perfect wedding and thanks to her inability to say no, she would have to split her time between MM's wedding and Jasmine's.
During MM's nuptials, Emma kept glancing down to check the time on her watch. She had to leave soon if she wanted to make it to Jasmine's wedding ceremony on time. She put on her biggest smile and hoped she would make it on time. The moment the ceremony ended, she ran out of the door. She didn't even notice that she had caught the attention of one of the guests.
In an effort to make her night easier she caught a taxi outside and made a deal with him: $300 flat for the whole night: but with one stipulation no peeking or she deducts. The taxi driver quickly accepts but is unable to control himself and loses $20 within five minutes of agreeing to the deal.
Unfortunately, her efforts didn't go unnoticed by the guest staring at the back of the cab, who got an eyeful and smirked appreciatively at the sight.
After fulfilling her duties at Jasmine and Al's wedding she returned to MM and David's reception. As the night reached its inevitable end, Emma was among the rest of the single ladies as they lined up for the bouquet toss. MM noticed Emma's place and the forever romantic bride decided to throw the bouquet to her bridesmaid savior.
Emma was pushed out of the way by an overly excited redheaded relative in hopes to catch the bouquet for herself. Emma hit her head as she was falling, lost consciousness, and fell to the floor. The woman who had pushed her triumphantly jumped up and down with her trophy in hand.
Countless people had rushed to Emma's prone body on the floor but one man ushered people away. "Everybody please calm down, give the lass some room to breathe." The bride and groom caught his eye as Emma started moving. "The lass is alright, she's coming to. Someone get me some water."
Mary Margaret and David walked away to get him some water for Emma.
"Love, do you know your name?" The stranger asked.
Emma groggily opened her eyes. "My name is Emma. Are you a doctor?"
"Emma, I'm afraid not. My name is Killian Jones." Killian turned to the crowd, "She's fine. It was just a little bump on the head." He smiled at her and gently helped her to her feet.
She groaned as she stumbled a bit. He quickly put his hand on her lower back to help give her some support.
"Love, perhaps it's time to get a taxi and get you home."
Emma stiffened for a second but realized the night had caught up with her but agreed.
They walked outside and Killian was about to hail a cab when her cabbie for the night got out and went to open the door for them. Emma walked towards her cab. Killian didn't hesitate and follows her lead. Once inside the cab, Emma gave the driver her address. Killian noticed that there was another dress and a pair of shoes. He smirked, "Ah, yes. How could I forget such a sight? I loved your thong by the way. Very sexy," he added with a wink.
Emma looked at him confused.
"I saw you changing gowns earlier." He waggled his eyebrows. "The back window of the taxi gave away quite the view."
Emma rolled her eyes and turned away to hide her blush. She looked out the window as they passed the countless buildings.
Killian leaned towards Emma, "Tell me love, why two weddings in one day, isn't one bad enough?"
Emma sighed, "Isn't it obvious? I love weddings and they're both really good friends. I couldn't say no."
"Ah, let me guess you love the forced merriment? Or is it perhaps the horrid music or is it the delectable food?" He said mockingly.
Emma stared him down. "Oh look at that! What a surprise, a man who doesn't believe in marriage. Oh, goodie what a treat."
He rolled his eyes, "Love is patient. Love is kind.
Love is slowly losing your mind."
"What is it you do again?" Emma asked with a raised eyebrow.
He smiled. "I'm a writer, love."
The cab came to a sudden stop.
She turned to him gasping, "Oh look at that, that's my building. Thanks for the help, bye now!" She rushed to grab her things and get out of the cab.
Killian followed her out and was about to pull out his wallet when Emma stopped him, "No, I got it." She leaned over to hand the cab driver his fare for the night and whispered with a scolding tone, "You know what you did."
Killian doesn't think twice to follow her.
Emma stopped dead in her tracks. "Oh no, what are you doing?"
"I'm escorting you home, it's what a gentleman does." Killian smiled.
Emma rolled her eyes. "So now you're a gentleman. I don't need you to escort me home. I'm fine." She hurried back to the cab as he was about to drive away, "Wait, he is coming back, one second." She smiled and walked back to where Killian was waiting. "He is waiting for you."
Killian looked back to the cab and turned back to see her putting more distance between them. He sighed in defeat walking to the cab and yelled, "Love, will you be at any weddings next week?" There was no answer.
"Sir, are you in or out?" the cab driver yelled out.
Killian took one last glance in the direction Emma had disappeared and climbed aboard the cab.
Killian sighed as they took off. His eyes caught sight of what appeared to be a notebook underneath the seat. He pulled it out and pondered asking the driver to go back. A wide smile broke out on his face.
The next day Emma woke up refreshed. She had so much fun at both weddings, but what she was really excited about was the Sunday newspaper. She was looking for something specific, the wedding announcements in the Commitment section. She loved the way James Rogers, the writer spun the stories. His wedding write-ups/articles have always been her favorite.
Monday morning, Emma was waiting for Ruby outside of their work. Ruby strutted towards her wearing a man's shirt and pants smirking.
Emma studied her friend and shook her head in disapproval.
Ruby rolled her eyes. "What? I wasn't going to wear my bridesmaid dress to work. I improvised." She winked at Emma.
Emma laughed, "You must be so proud! The two-day walk of shame outfit."
"Alright, Ems, just because you refuse to have some fun doesn't mean we all have to."
Emma rolled her eyes. She was looking for more than just a roll in the hay.
Killian was walking down the busy New York street to work with a little pep in his walk. His friend Victor was waiting for him with a cup of coffee.
Killian smiled widely. "Good morning, mate. What a lovely day!"
Victor stared at him. "Jones, did you get lucky?"
Killian took a sip of his offered drink. "Not in the way you think. I have an idea for a story that will get me out of writing stuff like 'The bride wore a gown that sparkled like the groom's eyes…'"
"Seriously? I still can't believe you are not getting laid. Damn it, Killian. Commitments is the gold standard of wedding announcements. Brides would do just about anything to get in there. If you know what I mean."
Killian scrunched his face. "Victor, do you have an idea what you're saying?"
Victor Whale was a new kind of dog. He smiled wickedly at Killian. "Think about it. They won't call you. They won't bother you. They will pretend they never even met you.
You can't beat that."
"It doesn't matter. This my friend." Killian took out a beat-up planner. "This is my ticket out of Commitments."
"I wouldn't bet on it. Cora likes you where you are," Victor mocked.
"Go away, you prat." Killian ushered Victor away.
Emma was at her job looking frantically for her planner. She walked to Ruby's office. "Hey, did I leave my planner here?"
Ruby quirked a brow. "I haven't seen it. Ems, don't worry it will show up."
Emma bit her bottom lip. "I hope so."
Ruby bumped Emma's shoulder, "Hey, what happened to you at the wedding? Where did you disappear to? Wait did you meet someone? Please tell me you got lucky." Ruby jumped up and down in excitement.
"No, nothing like that. I was around," Emma muttered, biting her lower lip distractedly. She needed to find her Filofax.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot, what a ridiculous thought." Ruby rolled her eyes.
Emma scoffed, "Alright, I'm going to get the catalog pages for Graham from production."
Ruby sighed.
Killian knocked on his boss's door. "Cora, I have the perfect idea for a story." He gave her his most charming smile.
Cora stared him down. "Your pretty face gets you a lot but not wasting my time. Out with it, what is this great idea?" she asked, unamused.
"I swear you will love it." He handed her the planner. "This woman has been in seven weddings-"
"So?" She rolled her eyes as she thumbed through the planner.
"That's seven weddings just this year. She was in two on Saturday alone," Killian insisted.
Killian could tell his boss was still not sold on the idea. "But it will not be just about her. I will offer an insightful look at how the wedding industry has altered what should be a rite of passage into nothing more than a golden egg. In a fun upbeat cheerful way."
He sighed. "Cora, I'm dying in Commitments. I cannot write another sentence about love at first sight. I want to write a real story. I will quit if you don't start giving me feature stories."
"That's what you're good at. Killian, it's not my fault you have a silver tongue."
"One chance. That's all I want. If you don't like it, I will go back to Commitments for the rest of my life with a big smile on my devilishly handsome face."
"Deal." She smiled.
Emma was still looking for her planner like a madwoman. She couldn't find it anywhere. If she lost it... she shuddered at the thought.
Ruby peeked inside Emma's office. "Are you still looking for your planner?"
"Yeah," Emma sighed. "I'm sure it's somewhere. So do you think Graham will like these photos for the fall catalog?"
Ruby sighs dramatically, "Oh yes, Graham is going to love them and they will cause him to call you into his office to make sweet love to you all day long."
Emma glared at her friend. "Ruby, shhh!"
"Emma, please tell me that crush is not the reason you overwork yourself? If he hasn't noticed how amazing you are by now I don't know if ever will."
Emma turned away from her friend, she breathed as she contemplated Ruby's words.
"I have flowers for Emma Swan," A delivery guy spoke up.
Emma and Ruby's eyes met.
"That's me," Emma said.
The guy handed the flowers to Emma and she signed for them.
Emma's smile was giddy as she searched for a card. "There's no card."
"Wow, this is great. I spent the weekend in bed with a guy and you're the one who gets flowers. Nice," Ruby says playfully. "Ems, you don't really think they're from your dream guy. Do you?"
"Rubes, shhh," Emma scolded her, looking around to see if anyone was paying attention to the conversation.
"Everyone knows except for Graham," Ruby said, annoyed.
Emma blinks rapidly as she blushes and is then attacked by a beautiful husky coming running in barking its excitement.
Emma hugged him as he slobbered all over her face. "Hi boy, I missed you too."
"Hunter, stop slobbering all over Emma," a voice came from behind.
Emma turned around to see her boss standing there with a warm smile on his face.
"Hey, so how was the climb?" Emma asked as she scratched behind Hunter's ears.
"It was good. I beat my old record," h said as he got closer.
"Wow! Isn't that the eighth time you climbed Mount Whitney?" she marveled.
He laughed, "How do you remember that?" He shook his head. "So what do we have for today?"
"Oh, let's see. We got these from marketing but they don't seem right."
He grinned. "I agree, they look-" He turned to Emma. "too put together."
"Like they're models," they said at the same time.
Emma added, "Oh, before I forget. The 92nd Street Y called to confirm that you'll be attending their benefit."
He nodded. "Will I need to make a speech?"
"Yeah, a few words about ecologically responsible business practices. Maybe something light and fun. I guess I will need a date for that. The only thing in my life you don't need to take care of. I don't know what I would do without you. Who would finish my sentences?"
Ruby was gagging behind them.
Emma glared at Ruby.
Graham entered his office only to exit right out. "Emma, did you leave me a breakfast burrito?"
Emma grinned. "I thought you would be hungry."
"Thank you, that's why I love you," he said as he reentered his office.
Emma whispered, "I love you too."
Ruby heard her friend's soft voice because of her wolf-like hearing, rolled her eyes and walked to Emma, and slapped her.
"Ouch, Ruby," Emma hissed. "I guess, I needed it."
"You think? Emma, do something about it. Just march in there and tell him how you feel," Ruby said, with a raised brow.
Emma just stared at her friend and ignored her suggestion. "I have a lot of work to do."
As everyone was leaving for the day, another soon to be bride, thanked Emma for her help planning her wedding.
"Okay, everybody. I hope to see you all at my engagement party tonight," Tamara said as she left the room.
Emma met Ruby at the front doors of the building to leave.
Ruby nudged Emma on the shoulder. "Hey, do you wanna come over to my place before the party? The guys from shipping are coming over my place for a drink and to have some fun."
Emma groaned, "I can't Ruby, I'm picking up Kathryn from the airport."
"Ems, I'm sorry but aren't you aware of the services taxis provide?"
"She's my baby sister and I have no problem picking her up. She needs me." Emma said with a smile on her face.
"Ems, she is an adult. I get that but she could get a ride to your place. You need to have some fun," Ruby insisted.
"Rubes, I'll be at the party. See you there," Emma said as she walked away.