The newly engaged couple wanted to share the joyous news right away with Mr. Goldman. The doting father was elated at the prospect of having his younger daughter back in town permanently. Emma's obvious discomfort went unnoticed by her family. Midas without thinking passed down the bride-to-be her mother's wedding gown, completely missing her fake smile. He was just happy at the thought of his little girl finding a good man and moving back to the States.
"Thank you, Daddy!" Kathryn said.
Graham smiled lovingly at his fiance as she showed him the gown.
Sitting across from the couple, Emma's heart sunk even further. Not only had her sister swiped away her dream man but her mother's beloved gown as well. She shouldn't hold Graham against Kathryn because she didn't know...but the dress was a different story.
Emma took a deep breath as she entered the bar. She still couldn't believe she had taken the guy up on his offer for a drink. Who was she kidding? The moment Kathryn and Graham's eyes met she had increased her alcohol consumption. She was not an alcoholic yet but she was enjoying the drink a little too often.
Killian waved at her from the bar.
Emma plopped down at the chair next to him.
"Hello, love." Killian smiled widely.
Emma forced a smile. "Hello."
Killian took a long, scrutinizing look at her. "I can't help but wonder what deity I owe the pleasure of your company. Don't get me wrong, love. I'm ecstatic, but you had been dodging my calls, and you suddenly called me to invite me out for a drink."
Emma grimaced. "My baby sister is getting married."
"Ah, before you."
"That is not why I'm upset," she defended.
"I'm afraid I don't follow."
Emma sighed and ran her hands through her hair. "You don't know my sister. Kathryn is going to want me to do everything for her. I will not just be her maid of honor," she said with exasperation.
"I don't see the problem. You 'love weddings'." he reminded her.
"I do love weddings but I'm going to have to take care of everything."
"Alright. How about you simply say, 'No'?"
"What?" she asked confusedly.
"Love, you have said, 'No' to people before haven't you?"
She scoffed. "Of course I have!"
Killian's raised his eyebrow skeptically.
"Many, many times before but not in this situation."
"But you want to say no this time?"
She nodded. "I wish I could. But I can't; it's my sister."
"Alright. We are going to play this little game to practice saying 'no'."
Emma stared at him.
Killian took a big breath. "Emma, love, give me 50 dollars."
"NO!" Emma said with a smile.
"Emma, darling. It's only 50 dollars. I promise I'll pay you back," he said, holding his hand on his heart.
"No," she said, proud of herself.
"Emma, love. I need you…" he said, licking his lips seductively, leaning closer to her, "To give me 50 dollars."
"No?" she said hesitantly.
"Eh, not bad, darling," he said proudly. "May I have your drink?"
"Yeah, sure," she said as she pushed the drink to him.
He grabbed it and with a smirk.
"Wait, I meant no!"
Killian tsked. "You were doing so well. That's terrible," he said as he enjoyed her drink.
"Mmhmm," she sighed disappointedly.
The night came to an end not long after for the pair after the game.
Kathryn and Emma shared a walk through Central Park as they talked about wedding plans.
"Ems, did you go to the flower shop and order the favors?"
"Yeah." She nodded.
"And the invitation mock-ups? Did you get those done?"
"Yes. Done."
"This is so much fun!"
The girls kept walking.
"Oh, and I want you to ask your friend to be my bridesmaid. The rude one."
"You want me to ask Ruby? My best friend."
"Yeah, she is really pretty and she will not throw off the aesthetics. You know that I don't have girlfriends. Girls, they don't like me." Kathryn shrugged. "I just don't understand why."
Emma gave her an incredulous look with a raised brow.
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "Fine. I know why. Just ask her."
"Of course."
"I was thinking you should do a slideshow for the rehearsal dinner with pictures of Graham and me together and say funny things."
"Okay, I will get the photos from Graham. I have our family photo albums."
Kathryn squealed. "Before I forget, guess what."
"What?"
"You know that writer you stalk…well, he called me because he wants to do a whole Commitments column on us for the Journal. Can you believe it?"
"Of course, at this point, I absolutely can. Why not?"
Kathryn stopped across the Boathouse. "I have been thinking and I think you are right. It would be a lovely wedding if I got married where mom and dad got married."
Emma gaped at her sister for a second. "I didn't think that was your style."
"It isn't but why not? I'm wearing mom's dress," she shrugged.
"You are always going on and on about how perfect it was. Tada!" Kathryn enthusiastically waved her hands in the direction of the venue. "We are getting married in three weeks."
Emma gulped, "Three weeks?"
"Yeah. When I called they didn't have any availability for 18 months. Then they called me to say they had a cancellation. So I had to take it. I know you can pull it together quickly. I don't want to wait."
Emma just forced a smile.
"I don't get it. Emma, you could at least try to act like you are happy for me."
Emma resorted to an old nickname from their childhood to appease her sister. "KitKat, you know I am…"
"I know that you wanted to get married at the Boathouse wearing mom's dress but I'm really happy and I thought my big sis would be happy for me."
"I am. I just didn't know that's what you wanted…"
"It is and you will get the dress after. Okay. Now can we talk about more important stuff?" Kathryn said as she resumed walking.
Emma stood on ceremony.
"Come on. Emma, you have a lot of work to do. I don't like the linens, and I think you need to rent new ones because they do not go with the color scheme that I picked out."
The next day she met Ruby at the Yoga studio for their workout and she shared the news. She had to beg her to say yes to being a bridesmaid. She couldn't be alone in this mess.
Finally Ruby relented only after being kicked out for talking.
"You want this cake in three weeks? Emma, I don't know if I can do it. It's just not enough time for what you want."
"Tiana, I know you can do it. I wouldn't ask otherwise. Do you remember the beautiful six-tiered heart-shaped cake that was commissioned by the Fisher's or the tower of edible gifts for the Page-Booth outdoor fiesta. You can do anything, and we both know it."
" Three weeks?"
"Do it for your favorite maid-of-honor, please?"
Tiana caved with a smile.
"We have a cake." Emma turned to her sister and Graham with a wide grin on her face.
The sudden clapping from the door alerted her of the newcomer.
"What are you doing here?" Emma asked, already exasperated by his presence.
"Hello. I'm James Rogers," he said with a gleaming smile.
Emma's mouth opened but nothing came out.
"Oh, yes. I'm Kathryn and this is my fiance, Graham."
"Congratulations! Lovely to meet you both," he said as charmingly as possible.
" Thank you," Kathryn and Graham replied together.
"Oh, and this is my sister, Emma. She is obsessed with your stories. She's your number one fan. She is going to make a wallpaper with all your articles."
Killian smirked at Emma. "Is that so?"
Finally, Emma found her voice, "Wait, you said your name was Killian. I'm confused."
"Aye, my name is Killian. I use James for the byline so I don't get stalked by the crazy brides," Killian answered Emma.
Kathryn's attention was focused on her phone.
Killian turned to Kathryn. "How did you lovebirds meet?"
Emma scoffed, "You are an asshole."
"Emma!" Kathryn hissed.
"What? He is! He told me his name was Killian."
"Wait, you two know each other?" Kathryn asked.
"We both work the wedding circuit," Killian replied.
"Kathryn, can you give us one second? Tell Tiana what you want," Emma urged her sister in the direction of her friend.
"I can't believe it. You lied to me," Emma accused.
"Ah, ah. Love, I told you I was a writer. Where is the lie in that? I just didn't tell you what I wrote."
"But…you write the most beautiful things. Which one is it? Do you only pretend to be a cynic… or are you a cynic who knows how to spin romantic crap for girls like me?"
Killian scratched behind his ear. "The second one, the spinning crap one as you so eloquently put it."
"This is just great. I feel like I just found out my favorite love song was written about a sandwich."
"James, can I steal you away for a second so we can talk about Graham and me?"
"Of course. That's why I'm here."
Kathryn and Killian chatted away as they walked towards Graham, leaving Emma behind.
Killian walked with an extra pep in his step. He knew this story would get him out of the dreaded Commitments. He found the address that Kathryn gave him.
He knocked eagerly.
On the other side of the door. Emma groaned as she saw through the peephole. She opened the door just wide enough for her unhappiness to see him be on display.
"Kathryn is not here. You can go now."
"I'm afraid I'm not here for her. I'm here to interview you for the piece."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Just go away, I'm not in the mood to talk to you."
"Come on, lass. For Kathryn and Graham?" he asked, pouting.
Emma hesitated for a second. She knew Kathryn would be angry if she messed this up for her.
"Fine, let's get this over with." She opened the door wide for him to walk in.
Killian got his phone out and set it to record. "The maid of honor, although a lovely lass, is a little prickly. Emma, how do you feel about Kathryn's whirlwind romance?"
Emma took a deep breath. "She's my little sister. How do you think I feel? I taught her how to tell time, and how to ride a bike. I raised her. Please, don't print that. It would break my father's heart but to answer your question. I couldn't be happier."
Killian nodded as he listened to her but his attention wasn't completely on her. His eyes roamed the apartment until they landed on the slightly opened closet. Love, what are those?"
Emma's eyes followed his gaze and answered as she tried to make her way over to the closet to close the door and keep him away from her prized collection. "That's nothing."
Killian was giddy with excitement as he trailed right behind her. "Are those…"
"No!" Emma tried to keep him away by pushing him away from the door but she wasn't able to keep him from opening the door.
"Bloody hell! Are these all bridesmaid dresses?"
"None of your business."
"Good God, lass. Why? The closet is so full you can barely close the door."
"I just have a lot of friends and I like keeping them," she shrugged.
"Makes perfect sense because they're bloody beautiful."
"Some of them are not that bad."
"I'd like to see one that is not bad."
"Fine." Emma started looking through the dresses, muttering not that one, or that one.
"Aha, this one is not bad." She showed him a greenish dress.
"Love, we need to have those lovely eyes checked because that is the very definition of bad. What color is this? Vomit?"
Emma rolled her eyes. "No, it's an "olivey" green. The color is super flattering. I'm telling you. It looks great on."
"I disagree. Love, that dress is one of the worst instruments of torture I have ever seen because the bride wants you to look ugly."
"No, no. Ariel picked it because it looks good on everybody."
Killian rolled his eyes. "The lass is delusional and believes anything anyone tells her," he spoke to the recorder.
"I'll prove it to you." She grabbed the dress and headed to her room.
Killian kept skimming through the dresses, grimacing as he took them out to look at them. He kept taking pictures of the packed closet.
Emma came out of the room.
He had to agree the dress wasn't that bad but perhaps it was her.
"See?" she said, twirling.
He smiled. "You are right. The dress isn't that bad but what about the color? He said as he took a picture and showed her the photo.
Emma groaned. "It's your camera. It's defective or something."
Killian looked at her, unamused.
Emma sighed. "Okay, it's not that good. Are you happy?"
"You look like a very beautiful shiny mermaid. You should be flattered."
Emma bit her bottom lip. "It's really not the worst one."
She went on to show him every dress in the closet and he took a picture of each one. They laughed and made fun of the themed weddings and the accessories.
"Love, you have twenty-seven dresses."
Emma smiled and shrugged.
"I don't understand. You attend the wedding, why not throw the dress after? This is a huge closet."
"I know you don't believe me but I've had really good times in those dresses."
"I don't believe you."
"It's not about me. It's about supporting them."
"Alright, but how much time do you spend doing this for others? What about you?"
Emma sighed, "Someday… It will be my day and those people will be there for me."
Killian's camera flash took her by surprise. He couldn't help capturing the image. The look in her eye spoke to his cynical soul. He thanked her for the hospitality but made his excuse to leave.
Emma arrived at Graham's apartment. She could hear the loud music through the door. Emma rolled her eyes, Kathryn was too busy for the gift registry but she was okay taking full advantage of the fact Graham was out of town for business. She only hoped her sister wasn't doing anything she would regret.
She rang the doorbell.
Kathryn opened the door enough to give Emma the list. "Here I thought you were going to wait for me downstairs."
Emma knew her sister well enough to know she was trying to get rid of her.
Emma pushed past her. "Kathryn, what is going on here?" Her eyes landing on Henry vacuuming the living room.
Kathyrn scoffed. "What? He was looking for a part-time job to buy a new computer. He wants an Apple MacBook Air because he wants to be a writer."
"You have a kid cleaning your fiance's apartment. Graham adores him. He has been his big brother for years." Emma said in disbelief.
"It's our secret. Henry's and mine. Ems, don't worry about it, okay. You should go, it's getting late."
Emma left, grabbing the list. She wondered if she told Graham the truth about Kathryn, what he would say. At the park, she had tried to make him see her sister's lies but he was blind by his attraction for her.
Killian was looking through his notes and the pictures with a faint smile on his face.
Cora appeared at his cubicle suddenly, as if transported by magic.
A startled Killian snapped up from his computer screen. "Cora, did you need something?"
"The bridesmaid story you pitched, what do you have so far?"
"Ah, yes, it's still a little rough. I'm working on it."
"I want to see it now. Email it." She said and walked away.
"Cora, it's not ready! Bloody hell," he muttered, Killian got up from his chair to chase after her after sending the email. She was a heartless woman and people had been fired for less. He had been lucky she had found value in him.
Cora was sitting down behind her desk when he arrived. "Cora, the email was sent with the draft. I hope you let me know what you think and just keep that in mind," Killian said.
She just nodded a silent way to dismiss him.
"Hello, love. Did you miss me?" Killian whispered in Emma's ear as she scanned the cookware.
Emma jumped a bit and almost dropped the crystal glasses.
She glared at Killian. "What are you doing here? I didn't invite you. Go away, please?"
"Kathryn did." He smiled. "I'm just doing my job. I have to see every aspect of the wedding."
Emma rolled her eyes as she kept scanning things off of Kathryn's list distancing herself from him.
"Your sister wants so many presents that she physically cannot register for them herself?" he asked when he caught up with her.
Emma stopped scanning and turned her attention to Killian. "It's a short engagement so she is pressed for time."
"How many casserole dishes does a person need? Kathryn doesn't strike me as the cooking type," he said as he trailed behind her again.
"This isn't just another vahze." Emma turned to face him, annoyed at his comments.
"It's called a vase," he said matter of factly.
"You just don't get it. These are the things you build a life with."
"No, love. This is useless crap that the 70-billion-dollar-a-year wedding industry has conned you into believing that you need to have or you won't be happy."
"No, you know what I think? I think that all your theories are just a smokescreen."
"For what, darling?"
"Your secret, whatever it is. Maybe you haven't found the right girl and you're afraid you never will."
Killian sat down on a display couch. "And I think that you love weddings so much because you prefer to focus on everyone else's Kodak moments rather than make memories of your own."
"What do you want me to say? You're right? You are crazy. Weddings are the worst place to forget you are single."
"Love, you want a wedding, not a marriage, a bloody wedding. The dress and the special day."
"What is your problem, asshole? Let me guess you had a fancy wedding and your wife left you for someone else?"
Killian's jaw ticked. "Aye, with my college professor by the way. They lived happily ever after with their son."
"What? Oh, shit. I'm sorry. Killian, it was just a guess."
"A good one," he laughed bitterly. "For someone who has no insight whatsoever into herself, you nailed me right on the head."
"Hey, do you want to find the ugliest stuff in here and register Kathryn for it?"
"Aye, let's do it. I saw the most hideous crocodile gravy boat on the counter back there," he said with a devilish smile on his face.
Killian walked to Cora's office.
"Hey, you wanted to see me?" Killian asked as he opened the door and sat down.
"Wow," she said.
"Cora, I told you I wasn't done with it. I need to do some edits." Killian said.
"Relax. I like it. It's a decent story. I have to admit, I was shocked. It's smart and entertaining."
"Thank you," he replied.
"You really nailed this girl. We're running the story Sunday, front page."
"No, no. It's not ready," Killian insisted. "I still have some things to add and I know it will make it worth the wait."
Cora crossed her arms over her chest and raised her brows. "You have been begging me for months for a chance. How about some gratitude?"
Mind reeling, Killian searched for any reason to stall Cora's decision. "I really want to get this right. Can you give me a week to make it perfect?"
"If I didn't know you any better I would say you care for her. Did the girl get under your skin?"
He scoffed, "Of course not. I'm just trying to do my job. She's more than this perpetual bridesmaid. There's more to her tale. Just give me a week and you will not regret it."
"Fine. Get out."
Killian called Emma to see if they could meet to talk but was greeted with Kathryn's voice instead. Kathryn had told him that Emma was meeting Graham to pick the menu for the reception. He truly wondered what she was doing for her own wedding. She was always doing something for her instead of for the wedding preparations. He understood what Emma had meant when she told him she would need to do everything.
Killian showed up at the restaurant and stopped in his tracks. Even from his spot, he knew the signs of a woman smitten with the man she was talking to. Emma was in love with Graham. Bloody hell, his stomach dropped for some unknown reason. She was smiling freely at something he said. He hadn't dared to get closer to them. How could anyone else miss the obvious signs? How could he have missed it?
Emma and Graham were so busy in their conversation that they had not noticed Killian's arrival. So he started to walk away.
After hearing Graham praising Kathryn, Emma wanted to tell him the truth. She is not who he thinks but stopped herself because he looked so happy. She will not be the one to break his heart.
"Emma, tell me what is your favorite part of a wedding?" Graham asked.
"My favorite part of the wedding is watching the groom's face when the bride is walking down the aisle, and seeing the pure love on his face," Emma said.
"I think it's easy to look at your bride with love if she is like your sister. Kathryn is wonderful and I am very happy I found her," Graham said with a loving gaze.
Emma smiled at him then lowered her gaze to her plate.
Graham turned away to get the waiter's attention but noticed Killian walking away.
"Rogers, Is that you?"
Killian winced but forced a fake smile as he turned to face the table.
Emma glared at him as he approached them.
"What are you doing here?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"I have some more questions for you," he said simply.
"You could email me the questions and I will return the email."
"Where's Kathryn?" Killian asked.
"She's busy and couldn't make it so she asked me to come in her place," Emma said.
"Hmm. She couldn't come to pick the wedding meal?"
"Emma is just helping out. Kathryn had a hair appointment; we are having dinner with my parents later," Graham replied.
"I'm sure Emma was happy to oblige," Killian said.
"Should we leave now?" Emma asked Graham.
"We should we're heading up to Rhinebeck to pick out
some linens from an antique store," Graham said as he waved the waiter over.
"I have an idea, How about if I go with Emma in your place? I imagine you have things to do before your dinner."
"No, no, that's okay. We can make it back in plenty of time," Emma answered quickly.
"I don't mind," Killian said with a smile.
Graham nodded. "It would be a great help."
"Mate, I insist," Killian said.
Graham paid and went on his way.
Emma and Killian got in her dad's car and drove away.
Emma was driving with a scowl on her face.
Killian laughed, "Of course you're angry at having to plan your sister's wedding to the man you love. The second I saw you mooning over him while you had your meal. It was like a bloody anchor was dropped. You won't say anything because you are too used to facilitating others' happiness instead of your own."
Emma scoffed. "You don't know what you are talking about."
"Hmm. You are miserable and unwilling to do anything about it."
"You are crazy! I'm thrilled to be planning their wedding. She's my baby sister like I have for every wedding that I've been a part of. You wouldn't understand because you are cynical, mean, and dark. That's your problem, buddy, not mine."
"Buddy? Did you call me buddy?"
"I could have called you an asshole! Just shut up!"
"I understand you're vexed. I ruined the day of you pining for somebody that will never be yours!" Killian roared.
"Stop!" Emma yelled back.
Killian's attention turned back to the rainy road. Perhaps it wasn't the best time to antagonize her.
"Love, you need to slow down so I can read the sign."
The car kept picking up speed.
"Do you think you could slow down? Ease your foot off the accelerator."
"Don't you ever shut up?"
Killian checked his seatbelt. He should have waited to say his thoughts but she had given him the cold shoulder since they left the restaurant. He hadn't noticed when the weather had gotten that bad. It was as if the rain was mimicking her mood.
"Emma, love. Slow down, we're going to hydroplane," he said in a soothing voice.
Emma rolled her eyes. "We are not going to hydroplane." Her fingers squeezed the steering wheel tightly as she made a slight correction and the car started swerving out of control. "Shit, shit! We are hydroplaning!"
Killian hissed as he grabbed onto the armrest and gripped it as if his life depended on it. In a way it did, he supposed.
"Bloody hell! I told you to slow down! Lass, just calm down and ease your foot off the gas-"
"Shut it! I know what I'm doing." She eased her foot on the break as she eased it off the gas like Killian suggested and maneuvered the vehicle to safety. "This is your fault if you would have stopped talking for a moment like I asked, I would have been able to focus on the road."
Killian glared at her.
The car was stuck and they couldn't get it out. It was too late for a tow truck and there was no cell phone service.
Killian spotted a bar not too far from them. "Come along, lass. Let's see if we can get some help or at the very least get a drink."
Emma hesitantly followed him.
The place was a small hole in the wall bar.
Killian found the payphone right away.
"You got anything?" Emma asked.
He shook his head no. "Mate, your phone doesn't work," Killian said to the bartender.
The man shrugged. "Nice detective skills. It has been out of service for a while."
"Our car broke down and we have no cell service," Emma told the bartender.
The man pulled out a phone from beneath the bar. "You will not find someone to come help you right now. The rain is bad and it's getting late."
Emma groaned.
Killian approached the bar. "Rum, three fingers, no ice, please."He pulled a stool and sat down.
"What are you doing?" Emma asked, annoyed as she followed him.
"You heard the man, we are not getting a tow anytime soon. I'm going to enjoy a drink. There's nothing you can do. You should have a drink."
The bartender handed Killian his drink.
"Thanks, mate."
Emma sat down next to Killian. "Fine, I'll have one, let me have the same."
After several drinks, Emma eyed him carefully.
"Jones, I have to know something. You once wrote a column that was so beautiful it made me cry."
"Aww," he mocked.
"The Zimmer-York article was full of emotion. It was the anniversary of the mother's death. The brother flew home from Afghanistan."
Killian remembered the article but he would not admit it. "Sorry, I don't recall."
"How can you not remember it? You cannot fake emotion like that."
"A talented writer like meself can."
"You're not that good."
Killian signaled the bartender for another round of drinks.
"Be honest with me for once. What is your favorite part of a wedding?"
He stared at her. "My favorite part of a wedding is an open bar." He smiled and waggled his eyebrows.
"No. Everybody likes that."
Killian laughed. "Alright. The part when the bride is making her grand entrance. I like to glance back at the wanker getting married. He looks happy even though he is willingly entering into the last form of slavery."
Emma's eyes widened as he finished talking.
Killian scratched behind his ear nervously. "Why the bloody hell are you looking at me like that?"
"Are you serious? That's my favorite part! I can't believe it. We have something in common."
"Aye, that must make us kindred spirits. Love, it was bound to happen."
"Just admit you are a big teddy bear that the whole cynical thing is an act so you can seem wounded and mysterious… and sexy."
"I'm sorry love, what was the last one?"
"Huh?"
"You think I'm sexy, love? I'm startling, aren't I? Some people say striking, but I will accept sexy."
"No, I don't. I think you think you are sexy."
"Mhmm," he said with a wide smile.
Emma's cheeks blushed bright pink.
Benny and the Jets played loudly, filling the moment of silence between them.
"I love this song," Emma said, swaying to the beat of the song.
"Aye, it's a great song." Killian hummed in tune then broke into song, "Hey, kids shake it loose together… That's been known to change the weather."
Emma snorts in an unladylike way. "Those are not the lyrics," she giggled.
"Those are the lyrics. Alright, lyric police. What are the correct words?"
"You're gonna hear a handsome music… So the walrus sounds."
Killian laughed. "Walrus sounds?"
Emma grinned and continued, "Say, Penny's no longer in a cement jet… Ooh, but you're so laced down."
He shook his head, but joined her in the next line. "Buh, buh, buh, buh Bennie and the Jets…"
Emma continued belting out the lyrics, "Ooh, in the wind and the waterfall… Oh, baby, she's a "revocaine"... She's got electric boobs."
Killian laughed so hard with tears in his eyes. "Boobs?"
Sometime after, Killian found himself singing alongside Emma on top of the bar, dancing and enjoying the moment.
The crowd had become a rapt audience to the pair cheering them on after an encore performance.
Killian helped Emma get off the bar table. Once she was at eye level she was so beautiful. He blurted out, "I wept like a babe at the Zimmer-York wedding."
Emma's eyes widened at his confession and without thinking she grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him to her, melding their lips together. The kiss escalated fast as they found themselves in the back seat of her car fogging the car windows with their heavy breathing.
The sunshine woke up Emma from her sleep. She was trying to shake off the kinks. She looked around the scenery and decided that there are worse places to end up stranded.
"Morning, love. The tow truck is on its way," Killian said as he handed her a cup of coffee."
"Thank you, I just want you to know I never do this."
"I know, lass, you kept saying that last night over and over."
Emma groaned, her head pounded. Why was everything so loud? While Killian acted as if he was a two-hundred-year-old pirate with an endless supply of rum.
"I was wondering if you would like to grab something to eat while we wait for the tow truck?"
They found a small diner just down the block and placed their food order when one of the patrons from the bar last night approached them and reminded them of the rendition to Benny and The Jets. Emma grimaces at the thought of singing in public. The man left with a smile on his face while humming the song.
"Oh, why didn't you stop me?" Emma asked Killian.
"I'm sorry, you looked so free."
"Hey, you're that girl! You're famous." A customer approached her with recognition in her eyes. "From the newspaper."
Emma looked confused at the lady. "What paper?"
Killian groaned and muttered, "Bloody hell."
The woman had gone to find the newspaper for her to see.
"Always, Always a Bridesmaid by James Rogers? What the hell is this?" She asked, throwing the newspaper on his face. Emma got up from her seat and walked out.
Killian followed her after he paid the bill.
"Emma! Swan, please let me explain. I told my editor not to run it. Lass, no one reads it," Killian said as he caught up with her and grabbed her arm to get her attention.
Emma whipped around and slapped him. She walked away toward the car leaving him behind.
Killian knew better than to try to talk to her again.
Killian stormed into work to confront Cora, she had lied to him. He had been blindsided when the article was mentioned. The look of betrayal he saw in her eyes made his stomach sour.
Cora's door was open.
Killian didn't even bother with any sort of civility. "What the bloody hell happened? I thought we agreed to hold it," Killian accused.
"I thought the story was ready and I make the decisions here you don't," She said coolly.
"Cora, you don't understand. I didn't have time to warn her."
"In case you forgot. You work for me, not the other way around. You should kiss my feet. I gave you 24 inches in the Sunday paper. Get out!" she said unamused.
Emma arrived at her place to be greeted with a string of shrieks and screams. "How could you let this happen?"
"I didn't know he was writing a story about me," Emma said.
"You?! Did you read it? If Emma is the typical, accommodating bridesmaid then her sister, Kathryn, is cast as the overbearing, overindulged bride-to-be who might start stomping around Manhattan at any moment."
"I'm sorry."
"Emma, he called me bridezilla in the New York Journal!"
Emma stayed quiet as Kathryn scolded her, missing the hurt in her eyes. The phone rang interrupting her tirade.
"What?" Kathryn answered the phone.
"May I please speak with Emma?" Killian asked.
"Are you kidding? The only person you will be speaking to is my attorney! Asshole!" Kathryn yelled at the phone and slammed it down.
The week had started horribly for Emma. Kathryn hadn't stopped her complaints about the article when all Emma wanted to do was forget about it. Not once had Kathryn shown her an ounce of sympathy there had been so many embarrassing pictures of Emma on the front page of the section. Kathryn had only been mentioned but no one knew what her face looked like. Emma however, was the damn star. Her head was starting to pound. She still had to face Graham. What if he felt like her sister?
Killian had been relentless with the calls and messages. Of course Ruby tried to cheer her up by making light of the situation but it didn't help.
Graham called her to his office and was so caring and understanding that it made her feel as if someone had her back. He was right, no one read that section.
Emma had to rush to the bridal shop for her meeting with Kathryn.
"Johanna, can you hem this part? Emma, is that you?" Kathryn called out from the fitting room. Johanna went to do the alteration.
"Yeah, it's me," Emma said as she walked to the back.
Emma sat down on one of the chairs.
"Emma, I have been thinking that it wasn't your fault. You are just too trusting. I guess," Kathryn said as she checked her list.
"Thank you. Wait. Is that your enemy list? The one from high school. Are you checking me off the list?" Emma said dumbfounded.
Kathryn gave her a small smile alongside a paper. "About the slide show, I want you to say that. Exactly as I wrote it, that is the script. Graham said he will give you all his photos."
"Okay," Emma said as she read over the script her sister gave her.
Johanna walked back in with the altered dress, "Hi, Emma."
"Hi, Johanna," Emma said with a welcoming smile and returning her attention to the scripted paper her sister gave her.
"Kathryn, here it is. Step in." Johanna said as she helped Kathryn with the dress.
"Emma, what do you think?" Kathryn said, twirling in the dress.
Emma finally looked up to see the dress, expecting to see her mother's dress with some slight changes but instead finding a completely different dress. "I thought you were wearing Mom's dress."
"This is Mom's dress. Parts of it anyway. It was just too old-fashioned. We could just use a few pieces here and there,"
Kathryn said as she smoothed the material.
"I'm sorry...what?" Emma asked as she approached her sister wearing a dress she no longer recognized. "You cut up Mom's dress?"
"Isn't it pretty? You can wear it too. Technically Johanna cut it, not me."
Emma didn't think her sister could be any more selfish; she was proven wrong. "No. No, no, no, no. No! God, you don't care. You only care about yourself, don't you? I have made excuses for you since Mom died but enough is enough!"
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I can't fix the dress but I won't let you hurt Graham. He thinks he knows you but it's all a lie. You even had Henry keep a secret from him. Tell him the truth or I will."
"I don't have to tell him anything and you will not either. You are my sister, you definitely wouldn't do anything to hurt me."
"No, today you're just some selfish bitch who broke my heart and cut up my mother's wedding dress. You didn't even have the decency to ask me about it! You knew how much that dress meant to me but you just didn't care. You could have easily just picked a brand new dress to match your taste. Kathryn, you only get this warning, tell him the truth or a will." Emma left her sister just staring at her back as she walked away.
Kathryn just groaned as she made her way to change her clothes.
On the day of the engagement party, Emma had been jittery all day but she wouldn't be deterred from what she had to do. She gave her sister a chance to do the right thing, to be honest. She hoped she had come clean with Graham.
Emma had been getting pitying looks, and dealing with passive-aggressive comments about how terrible it must feel that her baby sister was marrying before her.
The last straw had Emma replying with, "Yeah, but at least I still get to have hot sex with strangers."
The stunned look on the old woman's face had been priceless.
The night progressed and it soon would be time for the slide show. Emma had kept trying to talk to Kathryn but her sister avoided her feigning she had to play host.
Ruby arrived fashionably late as always but quickly found Emma, a drink already in her hand. "Hey, you clean up nicely! You look hot! I might be persuaded to change sides," she said with a wink.
Emma didn't react with a quip of her own, making Ruby since her friend wasn't holding up as well as she thought. "Emma, how are you?"
"I'm okay," she said with a tight smile, grabbing the drink from Ruby's hand while drinking it in one gulp.
"Hey, that is not water," Ruby said as she saw her friend finish up to the last drop of her drink.
Emma turned to the guy helping her set up her computer for the slideshow. "It's under Kathryn and Graham."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yep, I'm fine," Emma insisted.
Graham approached Emma with a reluctant fiance on his arm. "Emma, thank you for a lovely party. You have gone above and beyond. Hasn't she, Kathryn?"
Kathryn nodded her agreement while avoiding Emma's eyes.
Emma got the confirmation she needed with her sister's attitude. "You guys should take a seat. I'm going to start the slideshow."
The restaurant was packed with family and friends. Emma gave a lovely introduction as the images played in the background. It started with oohs and awws which morphed into gasps as Emma unmasked Kathryn from her preferred food to her dislike of pets which included Graham's beloved dog Hunter. The final straw was Henry's sell pitch for the cleaning business Kathryn was helping him, in which Graham's home was the first customer.
Graham furiously got up from his seat and left with Kathryn following close behind trying to explain herself.
A crying Kathryn returned alone, walked up to Emma. "I hope you are happy. He broke off the engagement. The wedding is off."
Emma saw as her sister walked away. Ruby nudged her shoulder. "What happened?"
"He deserved to know the truth."
"I agree but perhaps you could have told him face-to-face when this mess started. I know that my moral compass doesn't exactly point due north but if I can see there's something wrong, there's a reason."
"Ruby, you're the one who is always telling me to be brave and stand up for myself," Emma said, hurt at her friend's attitude.
"Emma, hun that's not what you did. You unleashed years of repressed feelings in one night. I admit it was entertaining but if you were sure you did the right thing you'd feel better right now," Ruby said honestly.
Emma walked out of the building, she heard footsteps approaching causing her to turn.
"Oh, my God. What do you want? Can't you take a hint? Why are you here?" she said, rolling her eyes at the intruder.
He shrugged, "Love, you wouldn't return my phone calls."
"Haven't you ruined my life enough? Let me guess, you want another picture for your paper?"
"Emma, I'm sorry."
"Please, Stop! You used me to advance in your career. At least have the decency to admit it but don't try to act as you care about me."
"I just saw what you did there and all I can say is it's about bloody time!"
"Stop, I'm not doing this with you again."
"Do you want to know the truth, why I came here? Alright, I knew this would be a difficult day for you, and for the first time in a long time, I wanted to look out for someone else. I know I was a damn fool. I'm sorry. I will vanish from your life but I want you to know that I think you are amazing, a marvel, and I think you deserve so much more than what you settle for. You deserve to be taken care of like the princess you are." He turned to walk away but stopped mid-step. "Sorry, love. I forgot to give you this." He hands her a package. "It's just something to make your life easier. A new beginning."
She took the gift hesitantly and watched him walk away.
Killian stared at his computer screen. He had hated walking away from Emma but it was clear she was not ready to forgive him.
"Killian, your little bridesmaid story got a phenomenal response. Looks like you finally did it, you got yourself bumped from Commitments," Cora said.
"Lovely," Killian said with a depreciating smile on his face.
"Killian, you should be happy. Isn't this what you dreamt of?" Cora said as she walked away.
Killian knew she was right, he should be happy. He should be celebrating but it was a hollow victory.
Emma was surprised when her father called the day after and invited her over.
"Emma, you have got to work this out," Midas said as he hugged her to comfort her pain.
"You two need to talk and fix this. Remember you love each other," Midas said as if talking to two little girls with pigtails.
They stood stubbornly at opposite sides as their dad gave them privacy.
Emma had grown up looking after her sister. She had no idea what had caused Kathryn to become as selfish as she was. Kathryn had become the person that only looked out for herself. Emma had let go of her hurt over Graham because she had no idea of her feelings for him but the dress. The wedding dress was part of her dream wedding and she took it knowing so. Not only that but she shredded it without concerns about her feelings. But as Emma stared into her sister's eyes, she recognized the pain that had reflected in her own. She had done the unthinkable and caused pain to the one she had protected all her life.
"Kathryn, I'm sorry. I feel terrible."
Kathryn's mouth opened. "Sorry? You humiliated me in front of everyone!"
"I know but -" Emma stammered.
"Just admit it! You have always been jealous of me!" Kathryn yelled as she threw bags of chips and anything she could find at Emma.
Ducking and dodging various items being flung at her from the shelves, Emma became aggravated by Kathryn's child-like tantrum, but once she picked up a family-sized can of vegetables to throw, Emma snapped. "Stop it! Kathryn, I'm sorry but you could have been honest with Graham from the beginning. We wouldn't be standing here if you had. Did you even love him or was it just convenient?"
Kathryn huffed, "Get off your high horse. Sweet Emma, kind and smart. Perfect Emma. You always thought my life was perfect. The truth is you resent me because you had to braid my hair, go shopping for my prom dress, and make my Halloween costumes."
Emma sighed. "No, Kathryn, I never did."
"You think my life is so easy."
"Kathryn, you never had a care in the world. You did as you pleased, never caring for the consequences. You are beautiful and fun. Your life is perfect."
"You have no idea, Emma. Do you want to know the reason why I stayed home? I got fired from my job and James dumped me. Then I met Graham and he was nice to me. I just wanted to be someone worthy of him. I was trying to be you."
Emma asked, confused, "Why would you want to be boring me when you get to be you?"
"Emma, you have taken care of me since Mom died. You stopped being my big sister and became my surrogate mother."
"I had to. You are my baby sister."
"No, you didn't. I'm sorry about mom's dress. I know how much that dress meant to you. I wasn't thinking," Kathryn sighed. "I was too busy enjoying my happy moment. I didn't care about you or anyone. You were right calling me selfish. I just never thought I would hear those words coming from you. I will not lie and say it didn't hurt. In a way, I'm happy you finally started saying what you feel. I will always be your sister and I think it's time for you to stop taking care of everybody. It's time to focus on you."
"Kathryn, I am sorry for what I did. I never wanted to be the one to cause you pain."
The girls hug and start cleaning the mess.
Emma was at home cleaning out her closet. Finally taking the advice she had been given. She decided to start fresh.
The phone rang several times before she answered it. "Hello?"
The familiar voice on the other side greeted her warmly.
"Hi, Graham. I can do that. No problem. I'll be right there." Emma rushed to get ready and meet Graham at the office. It was the least she could do after her stunt at the party.
Graham was sitting at his desk trying to find his speech for the benefit. He looked up and saw Emma walk in. She looked beautiful. He was not blind but he never wanted to cross that line.
"Emma, you look-great. Wow!" Graham said.
"Thank you," Emma replied. "Before we go, I want to say sorry about last night. I shouldn't have done that."
"Emma, you did me a favor. I was about to marry a woman I didn't know. It's not your fault I got swept away. Let's forget about the whole thing."
"Only if you're sure."
"I hate to ask for another favor but I need to print up my speech for tonight. I looked but I couldn't find the file."
"Sure no problem. I can get it for you." Emma walked to his desk to find the file.
Graham sighed in relief. "Emma, I'm so thankful I could call you tonight. I love that I can always count on you to never say no."
Emma froze and looked at him. "What?"
"I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?" He asked, concerned.
Emma sighed. "Oh-"
Graham approached her with concern.
Emma stared at the computer screen. "Graham, I quit."
Graham's face turned confused. "What do you mean?"
"You hired me right after college. I was so blown away and caught up by the company and you. I never bothered to get my own life. Then I couldn't leave because I was so madly in love with you."
He takes one fluid step into her space. His right hand sliding to the back of her head pulling her into a kiss.
Emma froze for a second waiting for the fireworks to explode but it was a dud.
Graham noticed her reaction and backed away. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."
She looked at him with understanding. "It's okay. I always wanted to know what it would feel like."She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but that's not what it's supposed to feel like." Her phone ringtone to Benny and the Jets went off interrupting them.
He smiled warmly as he saw her face brightened up with realization.
She smiled and left him behind.
Emma found the building easily enough. She approached the receptionist's desk interrupting a group of people deep in conversation. "Excuse me. I'm looking for Ki-James Rogers."
The person that replied was a classically handsome man with a boyish quality and fair complexion with a bright smile. "He's at a wedding. Wait, aren't you the girl from the article?"
Emma rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'm famous."
Emma had been pleasantly surprised at how accommodating the guy, Victor, had been. He quickly provided the information to her with a smirk.
Emma ran out of the building hailing a cab.
The taxi came to a screeching stop.
Emma opened the door and got in. "Pier 17," she said looking forward while waiting for the car to move.
The face of the cabbie that drove her the night she met Killian smiled through the rearview mirror. "I only have one dress tonight."
The man grumbled in disappointment as the possibility of some extra cash disappeared and started driving.
They arrived shortly at the destination. Emma rushed out of the cab noticing the venue's wedding sign, and asked the two valet workers to point her in the right direction.
Emma easily found the wedding on a ship and it was about to depart. Emma didn't think twice and just jumped landing on the gangplank.
She landed safely, taking a deep breath and she started her search for Killian. The wedding was lovely. She was amazed by the magical feel of it.
"Hey," a voice called out from behind her, Emma turned to face the voice.
The tiny blonde with a big smile greeted her. "I know you from the article. What are you doing here?"
"Yeah, that's me." Emma grimaced; she only hoped the bride was a romantic. "Long story short. There's this guy and he is here and I ..." Flustered at her own boldness Emma confided her story to the pixie bride who eagerly helped her.
Emma took the microphone nervously at the encouragement of her new friend.
"Hello. Good evening, I'm sorry to interrupt such a happy occasion. I promise this won't take long. I'm looking for someone, Killian? Killian Jones?"
The groom arrived and stood next to his bride, "Love, what's going on?"
The bride said, "Shhh. Don't worry, this is a good thing."
Killian heard his name in a familiar voice and muttered, "Oh, bloodiest of hells…"
The Bride grabbed the mic from Emma's grasp. "Can we have a spotlight, please? Killian Jones, come forward." With an encouraging smile, she returned the microphone to Emma.
Killian begrudgingly stepped forward. The spotlight landed on him as the bride pointed him out.
Emma's eyes met his and she continued to lower her armor. "I just wanted to say you were right about me. I wasn't ready to hear it, especially not from you. I waited all my life for my prince charming. Then you showed up, a scoundrel, a pirate. The truth is, fighting with you is the best thing that ever happened to me. I think the chances of me falling in love with you are very good. That's all I had to say. I'll go now."
Emma made her way through the crowd to meet Killian in the middle.
Killian smiled as she hesitantly arrived a few steps in front of him. "It's about bloody time," he said, pulling her as close to him as possible before he kissed her soundly.
After a few minutes of enjoying their kissing session, they are separated after hearing someone clear their throat.
"Little brother, I thought I taught you better manners. How about introducing me to the lovely lass that crashed my wedding to profess her feelings to you?"
"Leave them alone, Liam. They have a lot to talk about."
"They can talk all they want but I feel like we deserve at least an introduction."
Killian rolled his eyes as he hesitantly made space between Emma and himself. "Emma, this is my elder brother, Liam Jones. You have met my new sister-in-law, Olivia, but you can call her Tink."
Emma's eyes widened. "I'm sorry I interrupted your wedding. I wasn't thinking. I never do stuff like this."
Tink laughed, "It's okay: you're family."
Killian shook his head. "Tink, I didn't know you were so intent on helping me find something as precious as my happy ending."
A year later…
After quitting her job, Emma opened her wedding planner business: Savior Weddings. Soon enough, she found herself planning for a very special day.
You are cordially invited to the union of Emma Swan and Killian Jones.
Kathryn was the maid of honor, she smiled at her new boyfriend Frederick. A kind man that she met at her father's store. He sat on the bride's side.
Graham and his date Elsa arrived at the wedding with an excited Henry who happily tagged along for the special occasion. They were seated in the bride's section.
Tink sat excitedly on the Groom's side. She was so happy her brother-in-law found happiness.
Ruby smiled widely as she guided guests to their seats.
"Excuse me, what do you think makes this wedding special?" a voice got her attention.
Ruby turned to the source and smiled wolfishly. "And who are you?"
He smirked. "I'm the new writer of the Commitments column for the Journal, Victor Whale. I was hoping I could buy you a drink later."
She laughed, "You do know it's an open bar, right? I'll buy you a drink." She winked and walked away. It was almost time for the ceremony to start.
Liam was happily standing next to his little brother as the music started. He joked saying he earned being the best man since his bride crashed his wedding.
Emma glided down the aisle. Her father proudly escorted her.
At that moment she didn't care if everything was perfect or not because the only thing that mattered was the way Killian looked at her, full of love. She looked at her bridesmaids. All twenty-seven of them were there to support her.
Once she arrived at her spot next to Killian he smiled lovingly as he asked her, "Is this moment everything you had hoped for?"
She beamed with happiness."It's so much more."
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Emma Swan and Killian Jones in holy matrimony. Marriage is a cause for celebration… I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
The 27 Brides:
1 Lily/August
2 Alice/Robyn
3 Astrid/Leroy
4 Victoria/Flynn
5 Mary Margaret/David
6 Ariel/Eric
7 Aurora/Phillip
8 Ashley/Sean
9 Belle/Gaston
10 Anastacia/Will
11 Anna/Kristoff
12 Merida/Mulan
13 Gwen/Lance
14 Marian/Robin
15 Zelena/Hades
16 Tiana/Naveen
17 Regina/Daniel
18 Jacqueline/James
19 Nimue/Merlin
20 Jasmine/Aladdin
21 Wendy/Felix
22 Megara/Hercules
23 Cruella/Isaac
24 Fiona/Malcolm
25 Tamara/Greg
26 Ivy/Henry
27 Priscilla/Jefferson