The roller coaster is on it's way up. Hold on tight.

Killian

Killian felt the bed dip and opened his eyes to see dark green ones framed by long dark lashes staring into his. Reaching up with his right hand, he cupped her face, "You found me."

She leaned in until their foreheads barely touched, "Did you doubt I would?"

"Never. I knew some way, someday you would find your way to me."

"How could you have been so sure with all the obstacles between us?"

"It's called trust, Darling. If you hadn't found me, I would have lost my happy ending."

"You've found your happy ending? What is it?" she asked him quietly.

"Don't you know, Emma, it's you."

As a single tear escaped from the corner of her eye, he gently wiped it off with his thumb and kissed her. Their lips moved slowly against each other opening and melding as if they belonged together.

Needing to catch her breath, Emma leaned back, to look at him. "I like that I'm your happy ending Killian. And you are mine."

She leaned in to kiss him again, sucking gently on his full bottom lip, then moving to his top one. Killian took control of the kiss, and moving his hand to her chin changed the angle, and closed his lips over hers while running his tongue along her bottom lip. She opened her mouth to let him in, and their tongues mated the sensuous language of lovers.

Rolling her over onto her back, and supporting himself over her with his left elbow, he broke the kiss, to just look at her. The light gave her cheeks an ethereal glow and tenderly he placed a kiss on one cheek, "So beautiful," and he moved to the other cheek and kissed it, "So lovely," and he kissed her nose, "gorgeous."

Emma opened her eyes and smiled at the man looking down at her, such love in his eyes, "You're not so bad yourself," she quipped.

He smirked, "I know."

Then he kissed her, rolling them onto their sides so he could wrap both arms around her. Pulling her body flush to his, running his hand up and down her back in what was meant to be a soothing stroke but was causing him to start thinking about where this was leading and how to get them there, made him slow down and pull back slightly.

Emma moved her hand to the back of his head and combing her fingers through his hair, tried to pull his lips back to hers. "More."

Killian nuzzled her nose with his, "Emma, I'm trying to be strong, to be a gentleman, but you're making it very hard," and then biting his bottom lip, his eyes glinting, he waited.

Emma giggled, "I hope so," and then she wiggled her hips against his, "I think it appears to be working."

Growling deep in his throat, he kissed her again, hard. "Minx."

Sitting up he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor. "Come here, you." He reached for her, "Emma? He reached for her again, "Emma, help me."

She was holding out her arms toward him, but their hands kept missing each other, "Killian!"

"Emma, fight. Stretch Emma," but no matter how much he tried he couldn't reach her outstretched fingers and she drifted out of sight. Feeling the tears gathering behind his eyes, he yelled again, hoping that she would hear him, "EMMA!"

He repeated again, this time so loudly, he woke up with her name on his lips. Looking around wildly, he realized it had all been a dream. He wiped his hand over his face and realized his tears, though, had been real, "Bloody hell," he groaned and swung his legs off the bed to go take a shower, a very cold shower.

After his shower, he made a cup of coffee and carrying it and a beach towel, went outside. Rumple was following close at his heels and as they walked by the postbox there was a new letter waiting for him. Taking his loot down to the beach, he tossed the towel onto the sand and sank down carefully so as not to spill his coffee. Taking a few sips, he savored the flavor and then opened the letter from his lady.

Killian,

I'm not sure words can express how much I love your gift. You've touched a piece of me that has never been captured before. I'm starting to believe that you are every bit the pirate you claim to be. Remember the gift I gave you from my walk in the Art Deco District? It said We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.

There is a reason we met, that our paths have crossed. If we can change destiny, then perhaps maybe it's time to try. Call me on Christmas Day. I'll be waiting.

Love, Emma

Feeling like he had just climbed to the top of the Emma Swan wall, Killian wanted to shout his joy but settled for a sharp whistle to get Rumple's attention, who had been chasing birds down the beach. Christmas Day, he thought, I can wait until then.

Emma (2014)

Since leaving the beach and seeing her gift from Killian, Emma couldn't resist getting lost in playing the "what if" game with herself. "What if" he called and they made plans to meet. "What if" he came by and they made plans to meet. And on and on it went until some days, she was tempted to jump in the car and drive to the beach and just sit and wait. But sadly, she couldn't do that as she was an adult with a life and had to be responsible. Work leading up to the holidays was busy with not only the usual accidents but also holiday accidents, like cooking mishaps, or burns caused by fires from Christmas lights, or individuals needing stitches because they cut themselves on broken ornaments, and the list went on.

She had split the holiday shift with Victor Whale and since he was working Christmas Day, she was on for Christmas Eve. When she arrived and noticed Granny wasn't there, she was a little concerned as Granny was the glue that held the ER together when it got particularly rowdy and as it was an evening when alcohol was involved, well you never know. Thankfully, the shift had started slowly as she got to spend time talking with Lilly, who was a new nurse at Bayside General. Gaining confidence in Lilly's abilities with each patient she handled, Emma felt comfortable running to the cafeteria to get a quick bite to eat, and promising to bring a candy bar back, she snuck away.

She'd been sitting for five minutes when she was paged back to the ER. Shoving her sandwich and Lilly's candy in her pocket, she took the stairs and coming around the corner, she could hear the noise before she could see it. Loud, boisterous, obnoxious, just a few words that described what was waiting for her. Recognizing Robin standing next to a large man who was holding a bloody towel around his arm and they were standing over two other men, who had multiple cuts on their faces, along with bloody noses, she wandered into the fray. Letting out a whistle to get their attention, she waited for quiet and then addressing, Robin, the only one unharmed, said, "What happened?"

Robin smiled that smile that makes his dimples deeper at her and rolled his eyes, "Dr. Swan, so lovely to see you."

Pointing to the two smaller men, he said, "Will Scarlett here and his neighbor, Tucker, got into an argument over who had the best display of Christmas lights and both had been drinking and things got out of hand. One of the neighbors called us and here we are."

Emma handed charts to a nurse who separated the men and took them each to a room. After they had walked away, she turned to the much larger man, "And you are?"

The large man had a sheepish look on his face, "Beggin your pardon ma'am. Name's John Little, but most folks call me, Little John, cause of my size."

Emma thought he was the furthest thing from little, but went with it, "Ok, Little John, let's get you into an exam room and get you cleaned up. Robin, you need anything?"

"No, I'm good. Little John just tried to get in the middle of Tucker and Will and his arm is a bit banged up. I'm going to see if those blokes have calmed down enough to give me the whole story." He walked off toward the exam rooms.

Emma led Little John to an empty room and cleaned his wound. "Looks like you got lucky this time and won't need stitches. I'm going to use some of this liquid bandage, so make sure you keep it clean for the next few days. What did you get cut with?"

Little John had looked away when she had started cleaning his wound as if the site of blood wasn't his favorite, so her words brought his attention back to her, "It was glass. Tucker had a vodka bottle that he had been drinking from, waving it around and it must have shattered on something, as the next thing I knew, I was bleeding." And then he looked down at the clean white bandage against his tanned arm, and smirked, "Maybe my wife will give me a bit of sympathy."

Emma rolled her eyes at him, "Good luck with that one." And laughing she left him to clean up and moved on to the next patient.

Tucker was waiting for her in the next room and after looking over his face, she pulled on a pair of gloves and cleaned the blood off of his upper lip. Noting the blood was still seeping, she checked but didn't feel anything broken so she packed his nose with some gauze strips and instructed him to use an ice pack. "Oh, and be prepared for a black eye, or two in your holiday pictures."

Tucker groaned, "My wife is going to kill me," he muttered.

Emma looked at him, looked at the wall, and then with a lopsided grin remarked, "If you were my husband, I would. Maybe next year you'll rethink your arguments." Taking off her gloves, she washed her hands and went to check on victim number three."

Will Scarlett looked the worst of the three. He was laying back on the exam bed with his arm folded over his forehead, and his eyes closed, groaning in pain, "Will, are you in pain?

"Me 'ead hurts," he slurred in a thick cockney voice.

Emma wasn't sure if his head hurt because of the alcohol he had consumed or a head injury, but after cleaning his face, it appeared that his only injury was a small cut over one eyebrow. A little glue and a butterfly Band-Aid and he was good to go. "Will, your injuries are minor. How much did you drink?"

He groaned again, "I don't bloody remember but I am guess'n enough to get me pissed and landed in this sodding place."

"Take some aspirin and drink plenty of water. You should feel better sometime tomorrow but your Christmas is going to be an uncomfortable one."

Once outside the door, she saw Robin standing near the desk talking to Little John. Walking up to them Robin, turned to her with a smile, "They ok?"

Emma shook her head, "Physically, they are both fine but are going to have serious hangovers tomorrow. "

Robin smirked, "Serves them right. We'd better go see if any charges are going to be filed."

She laughed, "Better you than me, Robin. Oh, by the way, daddy. How's Regina doing? Are you over the shock?"

Robin's smile got even bigger, "She's beautiful, but already uncomfortable, even with three more months to go. And no, the shock hasn't worn off. I'm not sure it ever will."

"Tell her I said Merry Christmas, and Roland too. Take care."

As Robin went to finish his questioning, she took their charts behind the desk and wrote her notes. Thankfully the rest of her Christmas Eve shift passed without incidence.

Christmas Day arrived bright and sunny and Emma scurried around finishing her last minute wrapping of gifts and baking. She had made some cookies and picked up a pie at the bakery and was going to M&M's apartment where the main cooking would be done. Once the gifts and food were packed, she went to change and then she and her guest were ready to leave.

Arriving at M&M's, she put the desserts on the counter and worked with her sister and David to make lunch. After they ate, complete with a black and white furry face on their laps, they gathered around the tree to unwrap their gifts. David offered to clean the kitchen while she and M&M talked and had their dessert and after gathering her gifts and her dog they went back to her apartment.

Back at home, she put away her things, fixed a cup of cocoa, with whipped cream and cinnamon, and sat down to watch A Christmas Carol when Ebenezer Scrooge, was shown that he could choose a different path and change his destiny. She really hoped one path led straight to Killian. Engrossed in the movie, time passed quickly and when the phone rang, she almost jumped out of her skin, picking up the phone, she answered, "Hello."

Killian (2012)

The holidays this year were some of the best that Killian could remember in a long while. He was spending it with his brother for the first time in several years, he had a business that he loved that was doing well and sometime in his future he would have Emma. Sadly, he knew he had to wait two years but she had made the first move, for him to call her, and he was a patient man, about some things that is. This Christmas he was going to celebrate it all.

Killian loaded the car and drove toward Liam's. He lived in a small home in an older, but nice neighborhood, in North Miami Beach that he had completely remodeled recently. And the best part was that he had volunteered to host the rag tag group of orphans at his house for Christmas Day dinner. When he pulled up in the drive he noted that he was the last to arrive but since dinner wasn't for a while, he had an idea of what he'd find when he walked in the door.

Waiting patiently on the porch, he let Rumple finish marking all the new spots, then opened the door to a noisy environment. Rounding the corner into the TV room, he saw Liam and the other three members of the ragtag group, which happened to be his staff also, Tink, Eddie and Wendy, engaged in a rousing game of Wii, Mario Kart. "I should have known I'd find all four here. Who's winning?"

"Who do you think's winning?!" Tink shouted. "Your snake of a brother of course!"

"Liam that's bad form brother. You're to let the guests win "

"Oh, like you let them win when we play at your place?"

"Wanker."

"Nit."

"Boys, boys!" exclaimed Tink, "Calm down."

She had been around Killian and Liam enough that she treated them like siblings, whereas Eddie and Wendy were sitting quietly, concentrating on the game. King Boo, Donkey Kong, Baby Peach and Koopa Troopa going in and out a mall, and around a track.

Once the race was over and Liam had won the first place trophy, the Wii was put away until later and all went into the kitchen to pull together the meal. Liam's kitchen was large and open enough so the five of them were able to cut, chop and stir without stepping all over each other. With their excellent team work, the table was set and it was time to eat.

Conversation flowed easily, with everyone interrupting everyone. Rumple made his rounds during the meal, trying to see who would give him the most sympathy and share a bite or two. Laughing at his antics, Wendy commented, "Does he behave this way, every time you eat?"

"Aye. I've learned to ignore him most of the time but periodically, I'll admit, he sucks me in, however, that guy," and he pointed to Liam, "Is the worst."

Liam laughed, "What do you expect me to do when I'm faced with that pitiful look?"

Killian lifted an eyebrow, "Exactly, he knows a sucker when he sees one."

"Oh bugger off, Killian. Anyone ready for dessert?"

Noticing how neatly he changed the subject, Killian smirked at him but stood up to help clear the table. "So Liam, I'm surprised Elsa isn't here today."

As soon as he mentioned Elsa's name, Tink perked up, and whipped her head around to look at Liam, who was standing there with an 'I'm so going to get you look', "Elsa, who's Elsa? Where did you meet her? How many times have you gone out with her and why is this the first time I'm hearing anything about her?" Questions flying out of her mouth, before any could even be answered.

Liam just looked at her, "She's a doctor. At the gym. A few and because it's none of your business." And he took his dessert and went outside on the patio.

Tink looked over at Killian, who raised an eyebrow at her. She just shrugged her shoulders and handed him a plate with her famous chocolate cake on it. "This looks bloody decadent, Tink, thank you!" And taking it, he followed his brother outside.

"Liam, alright?"

Liam looked at him and rolled his eyes, "Of course it is, but do you want me to bring up the mystery woman?"

"Point taken."

He changed the topic so that when the rest of the party joined them, they were laughing about some silly pranks they had been involved in as children."

The party eventually wound down and only Killian and Liam were left. "I'm glad you were here this year, Killian."

"Aye, as am I. It was nice to be able to reconnect with father, even for a little bit, before he passed."

"He missed you, Killian. You know father was a pretty stoic man, prideful, I suppose, but sometimes I would see him staring at pictures of us when we lived in the house on the beach and he would have the saddest look on his face. I felt sad for him, even though I had no idea that he could fix the problem. I'm sure the regrets must have weighed heavily on his mind. "

"Aye, he told me as much," Killian remarked. "And then he would say," and adopting his father's speech cadence said, "Killian my lad, we must not look at what we've not done, but look forward at what we can do'," and then he recounted, "And I agree, Liam. We have to move forward and make our future what we want it to be."

"And are you doing that little brother?"

Killian lifted his eyebrow, "I believe that's, younger brother, and I'm doing my bloody best. I can only hope it's good enough."

"Care to explain?"

"Not tonight. I need to get Rumple and head home. We'll get together in a few days."

He gathered Rumple and the extra piece of cake Tink had left him and drove back to the beach. He planned to work from home for a few days as he knew that Emma hadn't realized what she had omitted from her last letter. Knowing her, she was regretting a few things and he needed to make sure she regretted nothing. His Swan was skittish and he wanted nothing but to love her. The showing her was proving difficult but love was worth fighting for, and fight for her was what he planned to do.

Emma (2014)

Since Christmas fell in the middle of the week, Emma had to wait a few days before going to see Killian. After his not calling on Christmas Day she wasn't sure what to think. Wasn't sure if it was worth it. But she did want to find out what happened and why he hadn't called. She had felt so confident that after he had planted that tree for her that he would have been anxious to see if they could have changed their destiny and merged their paths, but it hadn't worked. Would it ever?

Driving up she noticed the flag was up, which meant that Killian had left her a new letter. She didn't want to be but she was happy, scared and excited to see what he had to say. Parking the car, she rushed to the mailbox, opened the door and put the flag down. Pulling the letter out she read;

Emma,

Imagine my delight in seeing your letter and reading that I've touched a piece of you and that you wish for me to call you on Christmas Day. But Swan, imagine my sorrow when I realized that for you Christmas Day has passed and you did not hear from me. For Swan, look what you forgot.

He had left the letter that she wrote him asking him to contact her on Christmas Day. The moment she realized what she had forgotten, she put her hand over her mouth, thought every swear word she had ever heard, and then quickly wrote out a response to Killian. Putting it in the mailbox she waited in hopes that he was watching and they could have another 'text' like conversation.

Killian (2012)

Killian had been watching for the flag to go down and as soon as it did, he picked up his pad of paper and ran out to the postbox with Rumple racing ahead. Standing there waiting for a response, he was slightly concerned she would see his letter, decide it wasn't worth it and run, and so when the flag went back up, he couldn't help the gleeful chuckle that escaped. His Swan had answered. Maybe she was a bit tougher than he gave her credit for.

"Killian, I feel like an idiot for not leaving my number. Forgive me?"

"Swan, nothing for me to forgive. Do you forgive me for not calling?"

"We're a pair aren't we?"

"That we are Swan, that we are. Can we try again?"

"You want my phone number?"

"I want more than your phone number, Emma. I want you."

"Me? But?"

"The future's nothing to be scared of Emma. You just have to trust me."

"Ok. Let's try. What did you have in mind?"

"Dinner?"

"Dinner? Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. I want a real date with you. Will you?"

"I will. When?"

"How about New Year's Eve? We'll have dinner and if all goes well, we'll ring in the New Year together."

"That sounds lovely Killian."

"Thank you, Emma. I'll see you at the Prime 112 on December 31 at 7:00. That work?"

"Perfect."

"Be my girl?" When Emma read that the smile on her face grew almost impossibly large.

"Maybe?"

"Cheeky, Emma?"

"Always, Killian."

"This is for you to remember me by. Wear it and know you're my girl. I'll see you New Year's Eve. Night Swan."

Emma pulled a long chain out of the mailbox and on it was a gold ring. The ring had an oval ruby, with braided gold spanning from the stone around the band. It was gorgeous.

"Killian, it's beautiful, but I can't take this."

"Wear it for me, love. I will be waiting."

"Will you at least tell me something about it?"

"It belonged to my mother. I will tell you the rest when we are together."

"And you really want me to keep it."

"Yes, Emma. I want you to keep it safe for me. Alright?"

"For you."

"Thank you, Swan. I'll see you soon."

Emma put the chain over her head and looked closely at the ring. It looked old and a part of her wanted to take it but a part of her wanted to give it back. Right now, though, she needed to drive home, as she was afraid Rumple would be very disgruntled that she hadn't taken him with her. I just hope he left my shoes alone she thought as she drove toward home.

Killian (2012)

The next day, he resolved to put his plan into place. He picked up his jacket and drove to Miami. His destination was the Prime 112, which was an elegant steakhouse in Miami Beach. They might find it a bit unorthodox for someone to make reservations for a time two years in the future, but well, he'd handle that if it was needed. Arriving at the restaurant, he parked and walked up to the hostess, whose name tag said, Rori. "Good afternoon, sir. How can I be of service?"

Killian gave her his best smile, the one that he had been known to use a time or two when he needed a female to do something for him, "Good afternoon, love. I'd like to make a reservation."

She blushed, and stammered a bit when she spoke, "C C Certainly sir, ugh, when may I schedule your dinner?"

Killian moved a bit closer and leaned his left elbow on her podium, "Well, Rori," and he lowered the pitch of his voice, just a little bit, "I'd like to make a reservation for New Year's Eve, 2014"

She opened the reservation program on her computer, "Ok, that was New Year's Eve, 2014?

Killian reached up and scratched behind his ear. "Yes, exactly. New Year's Eve, 2014. A bit unusual, but for a very special lady.

"Let me get this straight. You want to make a reservation for a date two years from now?"

"That is correct. New Year's Eve, 2014 at 7:00pm, party of two. Name is Jones"

"Ok sir, I have you down. We will see you in," and then she hesitated a bit, "two years."

"Thank you, Rori. Now, let me tell you a few things that I want on that night." And he discussed in great detail the champagne and flowers he would want delivered to the table for their celebration.

With an extra spring in his step, he returned to his w and drove back home to work on the second part of his plan.

His father had found the architecture plans to the beach house in his office and had put them aside as a gift to Killian. Now that he had them, Killian planned to turn them into a drawing that could be framed and hung on the wall of the house, with any luck, some day, their house. Spreading out the large sheet of paper, he picked up his pencil and got to work. He couldn't keep his mind from wandering. It seemed that no matter what he was doing, she was never far from his thoughts.

Emma (2014)

Emma asked herself for the hundredth time if she was crazy. Then she would tell herself that she was crazy. THIS was crazy. The fact that she had been corresponding with someone who lived in a time, two years behind her was crazy. How can that be? She didn't know, really didn't care, as it had brought Killian into her life. Thoughts of him filled her mind. She felt she knew him better than she had known any other person outside of Mary Margaret and David, ever. Tonight was the night. The night that she had secretly been hoping for, for months, but never thinking it was possible. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was time to get dressed.

A few months ago, she had gone shopping with Mary Margaret and because she had been feeling a bit low, she had picked out a black dress that she hadn't been able to leave behind. It had put a small dent in her checking account but tonight she hoped that it was worth it because she had to admit, she looked good in it. "Pair that with my black heels and bag and watch out Jones, you won't know what hit you," she giggled as Rumple gave her his 'put upon' look.

She took a hot shower and spread her favorite lotion all over. Opening her dresser drawer, she pulled out a new black satin bra and panties set she had saved for a special occasion and then slipped into her new dress. Next, her black heels and unpinning her hair, allowing it to fall in gentle waves down her back. After one last look, she was ready. "Don't wait up," she told Rumple as she opened the door and then locked it behind her but not before hearing his answering bark, as she walked toward the elevator.

Traffic was surprisingly light for New Year's Eve so she didn't encounter many problems. Arriving at the restaurant, she splurged for valet parking and as she got out of the car, enjoyed the way the valet stared at her legs. Managing to stand without showing off too much she tossed him the keys and walked into the restaurant. The receptionist smiled at her, "Dinner for one?"

Emma looked up, "No, I'm meeting someone here. I'm not sure if the reservation is under Swan or Jones."

The girl looked down at her list and her eyes got quite large, "Oh Miss. Swan," she gushed, "My name is Rori and I happened to take this reservation for the gentleman. I couldn't believe he was making one for such a long time in advance. And may I add, he was very nice to look at. Even after all this time, I can still remember his dreamy blue eyes," and she sighed audibly. "It's so romantic."

Emma smirked at the young girl who was gushing over Killian, turning toward the dining room, "Come, let me show you to your table." She led Emma to a table that was partially sheltered from the other patrons, "Here you go, Miss. Swan. Enjoy your evening."

Emma took her phone out of her handbag to check the time. 7:00 exactly she noted, he should be here any minute. In order to try to calm her nerves, she pulled the ring he had given her out of her handbag and held it tightly in her hands. Taking a deep breath she sat and waited.

How was that? Not too bad, right?