This chapter once again involves letter exchange in real time, so remember he is in 2012 and she is in 2014.
Killian (2012)
The next few days were a maelstrom of activity as the men made plans for their father's body to be transported to England. In addition to handling their father's affairs, both had to make sure that their own businesses were taken care of and Killian was never happier for the efficiency of Tink. She helped him rearrange or get coverage for all his cruises, as well as any other details for the business Before he knew it, he and Liam boarded a plane, that would be one of several, taking them to Lymington, where their father would be laid to rest next to their mother.
As Anna had gotten sicker, she had taken Killian aside and told him that she had made burial arrangements for when it was her time. Of course, she hadn't told him that the plot had also included a resting place for Brennan, but after finding instructions in Brennan's personal papers, several pieces of information that had come up, now made more sense. They arrived in Lymington in the early evening and after checking into a local Bed & Breakfast had a small meal and retired as both knew the next day would take a toll on their emotions.
Brennan was buried on a Tuesday, a week after his death, on a cloudy, damp day. A small service had been held in Miami just before they left as both Liam and Killian knew their father no longer had connections, in this small town. Knowing that he might need extra layers of clothing after being in the warm climate for so long, he had chosen black slacks, a dark gray wool sweater layered over a black henley, low black boots, and his black leather jacket. Pulling it on for the first time in a while since it was worn so infrequently in Florida, the leather still had some of the stiffness from when he had purchased it several years previous.
As Killian opened the door to leave the room, expecting to have to stop by Liam's room, he was pleasantly surprised, to see him waiting in the hallway. Walking down the stairs speaking in soft tones, the men were unaware of several pairs of eyes following them out the door. A car was waiting to drive them to the cemetery, and climbing in, they sat back for the short trip. Arriving they walked toward the plot where Brennan's casket was waiting. After a local clergyman said a few words and as the casket was lowered, Killian felt goose pimples rise on his arms and he noticed two spots of air around them appeared to glow, come together and then fade upwards. As they disappeared, Killian looked around to see if they were still alone, as he thought for a moment that he had smelled his mum's perfume. Glancing over at Liam, he noticed a similarly befuddled look. Liam raised his eyebrows in question, but since the clergyman didn't seem to be aware of anything remiss, they turned back to the casket to see that it had reached its final resting place. Shaking the hands of the attendant, they walked out of the cemetery and after dismissing the car, ambled toward town both lost in their own memories.
Killian was the first to break the silence, "Did you feel their presence back there?"
"I felt something Killian, and to be quite honest, I like to think that they reunited and moved on."
"I like that idea also Liam. I hope they find peace. It seems now we're the lost boys that dad always considered himself to be."
"Except little brother, I have you, which keeps me from being completely lost."
Since it was such a solemn moment, Killian decided to let the 'little' comment pass, "Aye, and I have you."
Emma (2014)
After leaving Killian the package containing his father's book, Emma had waited until the flag had been put down before driving back to Miami. Her thoughts bounced back and forth between, maybe she shouldn't have given Killian the book, to she was really happy she had given Killian the book. Wishing she could have been there for him became a constant ache, so much so that she started watching movies about being able to travel back or forward in time. Winter's Tale, Kate and Leopold, and Somewhere in Time quickly became her favorites. She also watched Ghost because it reminded her of her date with Killian in the Art Deco district.
Work and movies helped but they didn't answer the question of how Killian was feeling, which is why five days after she had left the book for him she drove back to the beach house because there she felt his presence. Seeing the mailbox flag in the up position, made her so unnecessarily happy that the car was barely stopped before she was out the door and running. Once there she put down the flag and hugging the letter to her, slowly walked back to her car.
Pulling out a single sheet of paper with his beautiful handwriting brought tears to her eyes,
Emma,
Words can never express the depth of my gratitude to you. It gave me such pleasure to be able to view my father's works and to be able to read his words of love, words that were sorely missing for a while in our relationship. I was also touched that he had included pictures of my family that I had never seen before, and the look of love on his face was one I'll not quickly forget.
We are flying to England soon as my father's wish was to be laid to rest next to my mother. Not a day will go by that I won't think of you. I'll be back soon.
Killian
Using the back of her hand, she wiped the tears off her face and picked up a tissue to wipe her nose. She then pulled out her ever-present notebook and wrote out a quick response, that would be waiting for him when he returned home.
Killian (2012)
Arriving back in Miami, Killian dropped Liam off at home, stopped by Tink's to pick up Rumple and drove south to the beach. He wondered if Emma had come by to pick up the letter he had left before going to England, and selfishly hoped so, and that she had written back. Her letters helped keep the loneliness at bay, but he knew after her birthday that having letters, and only every few days were not going to continue to satisfy him. He wanted more, he just wasn't sure how, but right now sleep was the first thing on the agenda.
Driving up the lane, the house was in shadows as the sun had already gone down, and Rumple sat up and started barking. Opening the door for him, Killian wasn't surprised when he immediately ran to the postbox, sat down and waited for him to retrieve the letter that had been left behind by the lady Swan.
"What do you see boy? Do you see something or just sense something? And how is it that you appear to be living in both times?" Questions for another time as his head was hurting and he was quickly reaching a point where his thinking was muddled. Carrying the letter, his luggage and whistling for the dog, he went inside.
Dropping his bag by the door, he made his way to his room, brushed his teeth, stripped off his clothes and climbed between the cool, crisp sheets. Opening the letter, he read;
Killian,
I'm happy my gift made your heart lighter, even if it was just a small amount. I care for you and the thought of you hurting, hurts me too. I'm here when you need to talk, just drop me a line ;-/
Love, Emma
Killian put the letter near his nose, imagining that he could smell her perfume or lotion. Thinking it might help him feel a little closer, he tucked the letter under his pillow and drifted to sleep.
Emma (2014)
After a particularly difficult few days at the hospital, Emma wanted nothing more than to curl up with some food, her dog, a good movie and relax. She picked up a sandwich at a deli and after dropping the bag on a counter, clipped Rumple's leash on and took him for a walk. Nodding her head as she passed by other dog owners she thought how ironic it was that if she walked by Killian or his brother, she wouldn't even realize it, as she didn't know what he looked like. Based on the pictures, that she had seen in his dad's book of him as a little boy, he had dark hair, but other than that, she didn't know. She wanted to, oh she really wanted to but time traveling, while it played well on the movies, in real life, not so much.
Back in the apartment, she fed both herself and the dog and then taking a glass of wine ran herself a bubble bath. Feeling fatigue seep into her muscles, but thinking her mind was still too busy to allow sleep, she climbed out, dried off, put on some old boxer shorts and a tank and settled on the sofa with some pillows and the dog.
"So, boy, what shall it be tonight? Ghost?" Rumple lifted his head and looked at her, then lowered it back onto a pillow.
"Ok, not Ghost, huh? Not in the mood for something sad?" This time she didn't even get eye contact but just a pitiful whine.
"How about Kate & Leopold then? The ending is so romantic." This time Rumple lifted his head and then cocked it just slightly as if he were thinking, and she could have sworn, he gave her a little nod, before relaxing once again. Deciding she spent way too much talking to a four-legged creature, she cued the movie and pressed play.
Watching the scene where Leopold sets up a rooftop date so there are twinkling lights, romantic music, and a candlelit dinner, made her wish for the impossible, a date with Killian. To be in the same place at the same time, what could be better, she wondered, as she turned back to the screen.
Hearing a knock on the door, Emma looked down at herself to see if she was decent and deciding she'd do, got up to answer. Since it was so late she assumed it was M&M anyway and didn't even bother to take her hair down from the sloppy bun she had pulled it back into when getting in the bath. Not even looking through the peep hole, she yanked the door open and upon seeing a tall dark haired man, who was drop dead gorgeous, her mouth dropped open and she almost swallowed her tongue.
"Swan, I found you"
Emma tried to swallow so she could speak but her mouth was dry, "Do I know you?"
"Emma you know me, you just don't know that you know me if that makes any sense." And then he had the audacity to wink at her.
"Listen, mister, I'm going to call the cops if you don't tell me who you are," she demanded.
He grinned at her, and held up his hand, "Alright, I'm sorry, it's me, it's Killian."
"Killian, but how?" She took his hand and brought him into the apartment, "How did you get here?"
He took both of her hands in his and pulled her close to him, "Really Swan, that's the best you can come up with?"
He kissed her with lips that were all consuming and opening her mouth, his tongue swept in and sensuously dueled with hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her closer, rubbing his hands up and down her back, pulling her hips closer, until finally both needed air and their lips slowly parted.
"Killian, not that I'm not happy to see you, I am. In fact, I'm over the moon, but?"
He leaned over and kissed her nose progressively moving from one cheek, to the other, her chin, her forehead, her neck, each kiss, getting progressively wetter. Emma reached up to wipe at an extremely wet place, and then another, but the kisses just kept coming. Finally thinking this is too weird, she put up both hands to push him away and instead of a man's hard chest and cotton, she felt soft fur and paws, and opening her eyes, looked up into the brown ones of Rumple who had been showering her with doggy kisses. "Ugh, Rumple, seriously?!" He just grinned and sat back on his haunches.
Shaking her head to clear it, she realized she had fallen asleep and her dog had notified her the movie was over. Quickly shutting off the television, she washed her face and called it a night, hoping she could recapture what had turned out to be a dream, but a really good dream.
Killian (2012)
Getting back into a routine after all the time that he had taken with his father proved a fairly easy feat and before he knew it, December was upon them and the holiday season was in full swing. Not only the holiday season but the "season" when the population increased greatly, as well as the average age, but since this was good for business, he didn't complain much. Good for the monetary side of things, not so good for his personal life when he had things, like changing his destiny, on his mind. Thinking about his father, while it made him sad, he was happy that he had spent some quality time with him over the past few months. And if he were honest with himself and would have known his father's days were numbered, he would have made more of an effort to mend fences quicker. But since his father's motto had been that 'life is made up of moments and that making the most of those moments is what's important,' he was happy that he had at least gotten reacquainted with the Brennan Jones he remembered from his early days.
Remembering his mother's words about him finding someone and not letting them go, also was ever present on his mind and he knew without a doubt that Emma was his someone. As impossible as it was, fate had intervened and they had met. While at her birthday party, they had made a physical connection and he also felt that he knew her from the exchange of letters. In writing, back and forth all these months, she might not admit it but she was an open book to him. He knew that she had a tough exterior but a soft interior. He learned she loved her job as a doctor, not just for what she could do for the patients she treated each day but also for what they did for her. Her patients gave her a sense of purpose and grounded her. He knew that she was the one he wanted to have in his arms every day. The one he wanted to see at night when he turned out the lights and whose face he wanted to see first thing every morning. He had reached a point where he felt that his hopes, dreams, and future were somehow being built around a woman he had held in his arms for 2 min. Killian sighed, feeling the weight of the unknown on his shoulders. His father's death had shown him that the moments are important and when you can, you must seize them. Pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace, he came up with a plan. Writing it all out on a piece of paper, he placed it in the postbox, lifted the flag and counted the days until Saturday.
Emma (2014) and Killian (2012)
Looking over the letter from Killian, where he had carefully planned the playlist that they would be listening to while on their date," she read;
Good Morning Beautiful,
Tik Tok, Are You Gonna Be My Girl? More than A Thousand Miles may separate us but I Can't Get You Out Of My Head. I may be Foolish but That's the Way It Is. Let's Sail Away and Make Some Memories. Put me out of my Misery, Babe. I'll Be There For You, Over and Over again. Slow Down because You Belong With Me and then tell me You'll Think of Me.
I'm yours
Killian
PS, Download Unchained Melody last.
Feeling a little silly, Emma packed her dog, a fresh notebook and pen, a beach chair and her favorite deli meal, and set out for her date with Killian. Driving up to the house, framed by tropical landscaping and the blue ocean beyond, she felt those butterflies take flight. Wondering if he was waiting for her, she carried her belongings and set them up next to her date spot, the mailbox. Checking the time, she sat down and feeling like an idiot said, "I'm here." And the flag went up.
Killian had felt like a foolhardy lad all day as he went about preparing to sit out by the postbox for his date with his real-life Swan. At just before 5:00p.m, the time he told her to arrive, he was sitting in front of the postbox, notepad in hand, hoagie to eat and a dog chasing after anything that moved. Noting the time, he wrote a quick note, put it in the box and waited.
No matter how many times she experienced the flag magically moving, it still unnerved her when she actually witnessed it. When she opened the door, there sat a perfect long stem red rose bud and a single sheet of paper. Putting the flag down, she pulled out the rose and the piece of paper and read;
For you Swan. Thank you for coming round.
Emma brought the rose up and inhaled the sweet aroma. He's a romantic man, a gentleman some might say. Trying to figure out how to take some of the strangeness out of the entire situation, she made up her mind to treat the letters as if they were texts. So as the flag went up, it indicated that a message was waiting, similar to a ping notification when a new text arrives. And as the flag went down, it was like the three typing dots as if someone was replying. With that in mind, she opened her notebook.
Killian put the flag down and read what she had written,
"Wow, such a romantic gentleman."
"Why Swan, you wound me. I'm always a gentleman."
"Always?"
"I hope someday you get to find out Emma."
Emma sat there for a minute wondering if that was even a possibility, and while a part of her wanted to go down that conversational lane, the rest of her wasn't ready, so she wrote,
"Does this feel as strange to you as it does to me?"
When Killian read that he thought, so I got too close huh? Strange? Yes? Do I care? No.
"How about this, what do you see?"
"I see the blue ocean with gently rolling waves. I see a quaint cottage, and lush landscaping all around."
"Very good. And smell. What do you smell Swan?"
"I smell the sea air that is blowing in my face and the vegetation surrounding me."
"And hear. What do you hear?"
"The waves as they crash against the shore, the rhythm as old as time."
"Those are the things I see, smell and hear Swan, so you aren't alone. Did you remember to download the music onto a device, either your phone or IPod?"
"Of course I did. How could I resist after all the work you went to creating that letter?!"
Killian chuckled at the sass behind the words she wrote. "Now imagine that the one sitting next to you is a devilishly handsome man and press play."
Emma really was curious about his looks but fear prevented her from asking. The temperatures during the day had been in the upper 60's, and as the sun lowered, the wind off the water felt cooler. Thankful she had brought a jacket, she pulled it on and settled back in the chair with her sandwich. Nibbling on the sandwich, listening to the music and 'chatting' back and forth with Killian might not have been a traditional date, but she actually 'felt' like she was on one. "Devilishly handsome you say? Would that be because of the perm and waxed mustache?"
Killian had been munching on potato chips when the flag was suddenly raised after a few minutes. Licking the salt off his fingers, he read the note and laughed out loud at her comeback.
"I see you finally asked about the Captain Hook signature, but alas I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. No waxed mustache or perm for me."
"I'm happy to hear that pirate. I think I much prefer Barrie's Captain Hook anyway."
"Good to know, Swan. I forgot to ask, did you bring Rumple with you?"
Emma looked around for him and spotted him running around in circles as if he was involved in a rousing game of chase. "Of course, I brought Rumple. He seems to know when I'm driving down here and if I try to sneak out, he barks incessantly until I feel bad."
"My Rumple does the same thing. Must be a trait that no matter the version of him you see, he's still a might spoiled. Where is your Rumple now?"
"He's over by the Jasmine bushes, either chasing or being chased by something only he can see."
"I gather they can sense each other as that is the same place my Rumple is right now. Were the Jasmine in bloom when you lived here?"
Emma thought back to the six months she had lived here, "Yes, I loved stepping outside at night and smelling them. So fragrant, but not too strong either."
"My mum planted them many years ago. I love their smell as they remind me of her. How about you? Do you have a smell that reminds you of your mum?"
Thinking back to when she was four, Emma had only a few real memories of her parents but one fragrance always took her back to that time.
"Magnolias. We had a tree in our front yard and when it bloomed my mom would put the flowers in bowls of water and scatter them throughout the house."
"That's a lovely memory. I'm glad you shared some of your beginnings with me."
They continued to exchange notes back and forth a bit longer until Emma read, "Dance with me?"
"You obviously have me mistaken for someone who can dance."
"Come on Swan, there's only one rule, pick a partner who knows what they're doing."
When Emma read that, a memory was tickled in the back of her mind, but unable to come up with where she had heard it, she responded with, "And I suppose you're that partner?"
"Now Swan...just start the Unchained Melody track, close your eyes and pretend my arms are wrapped around you and we are swaying together."
"Go with it Emma, what have you got to lose", she muttered, "Besides it's not like you're being held in anyone's arm and having to worry about stepping on toes." Turning on the haunting melody, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. She was immediately drawn back to the day she had taken Killian's tour of the Art Deco district. As the music built on the word mine, she felt goosebumps break out on her arms and then all of a sudden felt as if she had been wrapped in a big blanket. As the song faded to nothing, it felt as if someone had gently kissed her cheek. Opening her eyes, she looked around to see if Rumple had been licking her face again but he wasn't even close to her but was over under the Jasmine trees. "Killian what was that?"
"That's powerful magic. I felt it too."
Deciding it was time to go, she wrote, "I need to go as I have the early shift tomorrow. Thank you for tonight."
"No, thank you. The moments you've given me tonight are moments I'll not soon forget. Drive safe."
Emma folded up her chair and loaded her things in the bug. Patting her leg and calling Rumple's name several times, finally got results, albeit slowly. Walking toward the car he had the most pitiful look on his face, she had ever seen. As he came closer his ears, tail and eyes dropped even more. "It's ok boy, we'll come back soon."
As if he understood what she said, as soon as she mentioned coming back, his ears perked up and he hopped in the back seat. "I'm not sure what to think about you, Rumple. You're definitely a unique character."
Killian (2012)
The next few days after his date with Emma, work was busy and he didn't have a lot of time to implement the next part of his plan. Finally getting a free moment he rang Liam to enlist his help, not only in the planting but also, in finding the best place to purchase such a product. The Saturday before Christmas arrived sunny but with a bit of chill in the air, at least chill for South Florida, but dry. Just as Killian pulled a shovel out of storage, Liam drove up looking like he had just rolled out of bed.
Killian looked him over carefully, humming loudly about what he was seeing, before finally exclaiming, "You look awful ole man."
"Bugger off Killian. Who gets up at the bloody crack of dawn on the weekend?"
Killian just grinned as some things never change. "Still can't get up early, eh? And it's not the bloody crack of dawn, it's 10a.m. Too bad for you as times a-wasting."
He pushed the shovel into Liam's chest, who had no choice but to grab the handle. "What's this for?"
"You're so tired, you can't see it's a spade?" He reached into the storage area and pulled out a second one and some work gloves.
Liam huffed at his brother, "You nit, of course, I know it's a spade, but what do you plan for me to do with said spade?"
"Follow me and quit your grousing." He led him to the perfect spot, and they began scooping the soil, creating a hole perfect for what he had in mind. Rumple sat through the entire procedure, watching quietly, as if supervising the whole chore. Once the hole was the approximate size he would need, Killian locked the dog in the house, much to the dog's displeasure, and he and Liam went shopping.
Returning home a few hours later with his prize and some steaks to throw on the grill when done, they got to work. It took the strength of both of them to lift the huge pot out of the back of his truck and then they were able to roll it across the ground. Breaking the pot, they rolled the roots into the hole and then both men needed a rest. Killian went inside to let Rumple out, picking up a couple bottles of water.
Liam was leaning against his car and had stripped down to his wife beater when Killian returned. Adopting the same relaxed stance, sans his over shirt, he passed Liam a water bottle and settling into a quiet moment, both got lost in memories from long ago. After a few minutes, Killian asked "Big date last night?"
Liam, who had been in the middle of taking another drink, stopped, bottle half way to his mouth, "Why do you ask?"
Looking at his brother's carefully held neutral expression, "Well, it could have been the fact you looked like you were up all night or it could be the way you are answering a question with a question."
"Wanker," Liam muttered, "Since you're being such a girl, I did have a date. She's very pretty, blonde, and a doctor. And before you ask, I had a good time and will probably be seeing her again."
His description could have been Emma but Killian knew in his time she hadn't been in South Florida, "Name?"
Before responding, Liam finished his water and started walking back toward the tree, "Elsa. You happy?" Let's finish so we can eat."
Killian lifted his brows at his brother's behavior, but then dismissed it for fatigue, and they went back to work, separating the roots to spread out in the hole, covering them with loose soil and putting away the gardening tools. As they were tossing the last few bit of dirt back into the hole, Rumple had tried to make a game of it by barking at the rocks that went flying, but once they stopped he had proceeded to mark it as his. Shaking their heads at his antics, Liam pulled a duffel with a change of clothes out of his truck, and whistling for the dog, they all trudged inside.
They took turns cleaning and after their meal was finished had settled down with glasses of rum on the patio to watch the last vestiges of light fade from the day. Since Rumple had shown his ability to bring even grown men to their knees while they were eating, they had tossed him a steak bone and he was happily gnawing on it in a corner. Liam took a sip of his rum and promptly gagged, "How do you stomach this? It tastes vile."
Kilian quipped, "It's an acquired taste for the most discerning palate." He took another sip, "See nary a cough."
Liam responded in a droll tone, "Or a palate that's anesthetized from too much rum." And he took another drink, this one more carefully. "Are you going to tell me why we really planted that tree?"
Killian rubbed his hand on the back of his neck before responding. "Someone mentioned they liked them. But don't ask any more questions now, it's complicated."
As the night grew darker, Liam stood up to leave, and Killian walked with him to the door. When it was opened, Rumple ran past with his bone, disappearing into the night. "Oh no," he groaned.
Liam looked at him in question. "What?"
"He's going to go bury his bone and come back with black paws and a black nose."
Laughing, as they walked toward his truck, Liam commented, "Surely not."
But before they had even reached the truck, Rumple appeared from the direction where the new tree had been planted, front paws muddy as well as his snout. Killian looked at his brother, "You were saying?"
"Guess you've got some cleaning to do little brother." Before Killian could correct him with younger, he was in the truck and driving down the lane. Giving his dog a disgruntled look, Killian turned back to the house, and once inside he proceeded to bathe his dirty dog before shutting down for the night.
Emma (2014)
Earlier in the day, a woman had come into the ER ready to give birth and she had sent her straight to labor and delivery. Now that she had a few minutes, she wanted to come and see the new addition for herself. Standing in front of the nursery window she watched several infants, all swaddled in white blankets, the only thing distinguishing them as girl or boy was the color of their knitted hats, sleeping peacefully. One, however, a boy based on the color of the hat, was being fussed over by one of the nurses, and he did not look happy. He must be the one who belongs to the woman who just came up from ER, she thought. So small and helpless.
Turning to go back downstairs, she noticed Regina standing outside one of the offices, not moving. "Regina, are you feeling alright? Need to sit down?"
Regina gazed at her, an almost panicked look on her face. Slowly she lifted one hand and gave Emma a picture. Emma took it from her and glanced down, "Oh, Regina. Is this yours? Look how amazing this ultrasound picture is? Is everything ok?"
Once again Regina handed Emma a picture. "Yes, Regina. It's you and Robin's baby. The ultrasound pictures of Baby Hood are amazing. You two must be ecstatic."
Then Regina handed her a third picture. Looking at it, Emma's eyes got large and a huge smile broke out on her face, "Twins! You're having twins! Congratulations!"
As she said that Regina reached out and caught herself on the wall. Emma directed her to a chair close by and after she had sat down, went and got her some water. Once she handed her the water, she sat down in a chair adjacent, "Regina, this is happy news. Scary, yes, but happy. This isn't like you to freak out."
Lifting her eyes to Emma, she asked, "How am I supposed to handle two infants? I've never even had one, much less two, and at the same time!"
Emma smiled at her friend, "I'm not going to say it's going to be easy because it won't be. But you have Robin and a lot of friends to help. You'll do it, together. Double the pleasure so to speak."
Regina took a deep breath, and her eyes filled with tears, "I'm terrified. I run a huge hospital with countless employees and I'm terrified that I'm going to be a disaster as a mom."
"I've not had the privilege of being a mom yet, but I have a feeling all women feel that way. And pregnant with twins, well," she left that thought hanging.
"Thanks, Emma. I'm going to go see if I can catch Robin before he goes to work. I need to share the shock."
"Ok, let me know if I can help. Where is it that he works?"
"He works for the Miami Police Department. In fact, he used to work with David."
Emma smiled, "One big happy family. I'll let you go. Take care."
As she walked down the stairs toward the ER, she thought about how it would feel to be carrying a baby that belonged to the man you loved. Fanciful thoughts, Swan, she thought, the man you could love is out of reach. Thinking that a trip to the beach house was in order she vowed to do that the next day.
Bright and early the next morning, she opened her eyes, to find herself staring into the big brown eyes of Rumple. He stood by the side of the bed, chin resting on the mattress, wagging his tail. "Good morning boy, ready for a walk." He barked his answer and as she was getting dressed, followed closely at her heels, as if she might forget him. Once back from their walk, she fed them both, showered and was getting ready to leave when she remembered she had promised M&M she would go Christmas shopping with her.
"Guess our trip to the beach will have to wait till later." Rumple's ears, eyes and tail dropped and he jumped on the sofa and went to sleep. Shaking her head at his ability to always make her feel guilty when he wasn't being included, she finished getting ready and then went to meet M&M.
Several hours later, she arrived back, arms laden with gifts, and plopped onto the sofa. Rumple sat close in front of her, following her every move, until she gave in, "Ok, I get it. Let's go".
Driving south, they listened to Christmas music and it wasn't long before she was turning on to the lane and driving toward the house. Noticing a new tree off to the side, her first thought was that she had the wrong house. Her next thought was that someone new had moved in and redone the landscaping but, no lights were on and nothing else had changed. Parking, she got out and walked to the mailbox and found a letter waiting for her.
Emma,
Merry Christmas. The magnolia tree is my gift to you. When you see the tree and smell the flowers, I want you to not only remember your mother's love but know that out there is a smoldering pirate who's thinking of you.
Love, Killian
P.S. Look at the trunk of the tree.
Emma rolled her eyes at the smoldering pirate comment but walked over to the tree, and using the little light on her key chain, checked the trunk. She found a heart carved at about eye level and inside was K+E.
"Oh, Killian," she whispered, "What have you done? You planted a tree, for me?" Emma walked around the trunk, running her fingers over the bark, feeling the ridges of the heart and of their initials. Reaching up she took a leaf and pulled it free from the branch. It was smooth and while the blossoms wouldn't be present until late spring or summer, she could imagine their smell.
"You did it, Killian. You must really be a pirate, as you've managed to steal a little piece of my heart." Pressing her lips against the spot where their initials lay, she imagined, it was his heart she was touching, just as he had touched hers. Wiping the tears that had fallen, she knew what she needed to do.
Leaving him a note in the mailbox, she turned to get back in the car, but Rumple was digging in the dirt under the Magnolia tree.
"Rumple, no! Come, let's go." A few minutes later he picked something up and trotted happily to the car. Emma noticed his nose had a little dirt on it but in his mouth, he was carrying a bone. Reaching to take it away, he growled a warning, "Fine, take the old dirty thing with you." Looking back at the house, she wondered where it had come from and how long it had been buried under the tree.
Hopefully, you were able to follow their conversation while they were on their date. I also hope you are enjoying their journey so far. Let me know what you think.