This chapter is the M version. If you would prefer the T+ related version then you can find it on AO3.
Chapter 11
Mid May 2016
Finals week was always a stressful time because everything seemed to happen at once. And as a graduate student as well as a TA, Emma had extra hats to wear. Thankfully, she had completed her exams, turned her papers in and graded the final projects that her art students had completed. All she had to do was clean her stuff out of the TA office and she would be free. "Nothing like waiting 'til the last minute to decide the rest of your life," she moaned just as someone knocked on the door.
Opening the door, she was surprised to see Elsa, Ruby, and Ashley standing there. "Did I forget something?" She asked the women curiously.
"Didn't you get the text?" Ruby asked as they came into the apartment carrying bags of takeout and immediately starting unpacking containers of various Chinese dishes.
Picking up her phone, Emma saw a text had come in she had missed. She read the group text, "'Have news. Picking up Chinese food on the way.' Sorry, I missed it. So, what's the news?"
"Patience, my dear." Ruby gave her a secretive smile, before continuing what she was doing.
Emma looked at Ashley and Elsa for hints, but both just shrugged their shoulders and continued setting the table. Realizing she wasn't going to get any information until they were eating, she brought out plates and silverware and they filled their plates and sat down to eat.
"Okay, Ruby. Spill," Ashley addressed their friend in a rather stern voice.
Ruby looked around the table, worrying her bottom lip, before finally opening up, "Have you heard of the Mercy Ships?"
Elsa nodded her head, "Sure, it's the big ship that sails around providing medical care to individuals, right?"
"Exactly." Ruby smiled at them, "Victor and I are leaving for six months on one at the beginning of June."
The other three women sat there stunned for a second and then all started talking at once. Once they had gotten their questions about Ruby answered, and a few tears had been shed, they looked at Elsa.
"You're taking the bar exam in July, right?" Emma asked her.
"Yes," Elsa confirmed. "There are a few firms I would like to join in New York. What about you, Emma? Have you and Killian talked about the future."
Emma grimaced. "Not specifics. But I just got offered a job at the Stewart Museum."
The rest of the evening was spent talking about the changes that were on the horizon and how life would never be the same. Where would life take her, Emma wondered. in a month, six months, a year? She couldn't imagine any scenario other than one where her and Killian were living their happily ever after.
cs~cs~cs
Killian finished his exam and laid his pencil down just as time was called on his final. He followed his peers as they made their way toward the table where Ms. Mills was waiting for them. Putting his paper in the appropriate pile, he chanced a glance her direction and smirked when he noticed she had eyes only for one person, Robin.
"Meet you outside," he muttered to Robin, who was behind him. Once out of the classroom, he leaned against the wall and waited. Unsure how much time Regina would give his mate, he looked around to see who was left and was surprised to see Arthur talking on his phone.
Arthur pocketed his phone and walked his way, his steps quick and his smile happy. "Killian," Arthur inclined his head, "your last exam?"
"Aye." He nodded his head in the direction from which Arthur had come. "Good news on the phone?"
Arthur smiled again, "I just found out the position I wanted came through. My wife will be happy we don't have to move. How about you and Emma? What are you two doing?"
Killian grimaced. "We haven't really spoken about it," he said sheepishly.
"Oh, sorry," Arthur commented, "I was under the impression you two were serious."
Killian started at his announcement. "We are, but the last few months have been one thing after another and finding uninterrupted time to talk has been really tough. But that's going to change today."
"Really?"
Robin walked up before any questions could be asked and seconded the comment, "Really? So, you've finally grown some bollocks and decided to actually talk to Emma?"
"Bloody hell, Robin. I don't believe you can cast too many stones." Killian retorted. "But yes, I'm surprising her with a trip to Portland. And you, Mr. Locksley," he gave him a cheeky grin, "what do you have in mind?"
"Dinner, a little wine, a little conversation and then it's up to Regina where we go from there." He gave them a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm nervous. That's new."
Killian patted Robin on the back, "You'll be fine, mate. Wish me luck with my discussion with Emma." He made a face, "I just hope I've not waited too long."
cs~cs~cs
Emma was tired and it was still early in the day, but her morning had been productive. She'd gotten up early and taken the T to Dorchester to borrow the bug and then had driven to the campus. Once there, she had packed up her things, dropped the boxes by her apartment and returned the car. Now, her only thoughts were of stripping off her clothes and standing under a pounding shower.
Pulling off her shirt and pushing down her pants, she stepped under the warm water. When it hit her lifted face, it washed away not only the dirt but the fatigue as well. If her worries over the future could be washed away just as easily, that would be a feat. But no matter how hard she tried, the same things kept reverberating inside her; questions that she would never know the answers to unless she spoke to a certain dark-haired man. Why were some questions so difficult?
What where Killian's plans? She knew that his brother had been instrumental in his coming to the States, but that was it. What did his brother have planned? Killian had asked about the future a while ago, even bringing up marriage and kids. Had her answers scared him off? She didn't think so, but why hadn't he said anything more? Why hadn't she? Frustratingly, that answer was plain and simple. The truth was, she was a chicken.
After dropping Robin at their place, Killian made the drive through the streets of Cambridge on his way to Emma's apartment. He kept reviewing what he wanted to say to her, worrying that he might forget something or might not say what he needed to say in just the right way. If all went well, tonight they would be planning their move to New York City together. A new beginning for him and his swan was all he wanted.
Once he had parked, Killian took the stairs two at a time up to her apartment. He used his key, expecting to catch her relaxing on the sofa, but when he opened the door, the sofa was empty. Hearing the running water in the other room alerted him as to his swan's whereabouts and the view that greeted him when he rounded the corner threatened to derail their plans for the day. While exchanging a car and bike ride for a long day of dancing between the sheets might give instant gratification, that wasn't what he wanted. With Emma, he wanted everything and he wanted it forever.
He cleared his throat before calling her name, loud enough to be heard over the water, "Emma."
She opened the door just enough for him to get a look of her pink kissable girl parts, quickly sending more blood rushing to his nether regions. He allowed himself a glance down but quickly brought his eyes back to hers and grabbed a towel. "Come with me?"
She pushed the door open a little wider. "You could come in here." Licking her lips, she gave him a come-hither smile.
He tilted his head slightly and gave her a sexy smile. "I could," he let it hang for a heartbeat, "but I have plans for us." Holding the towel in one hand, he helped her step out of the shower and wrapped the towel around her body. "Go get dressed, love, we need to talk."
Emma took a few steps toward the door before looking at him with a worried frown on her face. "I've found when a man says that, I'm rarely in for a pleasant conversation." Without waiting for an answer, she left the room.
Her body always called to him as if she were a siren and he were the ship, but with it warm and wet and wrapped in a towel, the call was exceptionally loud. Small beads of water were sliding off her shoulders toward the treasures below and only the clenching of both his jaw and his hands kept him focused on the goal and not his need to trace every one of those drips with his tongue.
He flipped on the tap and splashed cold water in his face, feeling the heat that had climbed up his neck subside. When he looked in the mirror at the man he'd become and thought about the future he planned to discuss with Emma today, he knew he would have finally made his mother proud.
Unsure what was going on, Emma dressed in a tank and jeans and was slipping on tennis shoes when Killian walked into the room. She could tell by his expression that whatever was on his mind was weighing heavily, and while she had an idea it was about the future, she couldn't fathom to guess any more than that.
Taking her hand, he sat on the bed and pulled her down onto his lap. "We've tried to have serious conversations several times lately, haven't we?"
"Yes," she replied, caressing his strong jaw with her hand, "and something always gets in the way."
"That's why I want to take you away. Just you and me with minimal technology." He cupped her face bringing her lips to his in a tender kiss. "Will you, Emma? Will you come away with me?"
Her answer was a kiss on each cheek and another on his lips. "I would love to come away with you. Can you tell me where we are going?"
He flashed her a grin. "Trust me?"
"Always."
"Good." He gave her a devilish smile. "You have ten minutes to finish dressing while I grab a few things and then we are off."
As he walked out of the room, her excitement grew for what the day had in store for her.
cs~cs~cs
They didn't talk much as Killian navigated the roads out of Boston. Once they were out of the city proper and on I-95, Emma glanced sideways, noticing he looked nervous. He had both hands on the steering wheel but they were never still, his fingers constantly in motion. And there was a tic in his jaw as if he were clenching his teeth. She laid her hand on his thigh and the muscles under his fingers immediately tightened. "Killian," she implored, "talk to me."
He cut his eyes to her, and squeezed her hand. After several silent heartbeats, he took a deep breath and she saw him physically relax. "I was hoping to talk when we got there, but if you're sure."
"I've heard," she whispered, not wanting to break the spell she felt they were under, "sharing your burden can help you feel better."
"But Swan," he started before clamping down on the words again.
"Killian," she pleaded, unsure why he was so nervous, "I love you. Nothing can change that."
"That's quite a lot of faith you're placing in me, you know?"
"You're worth it. Now spill."
"I'm moving to New York City," he blurted without warning.
Did she just hear him right, Emma wondered, he's moving? "You're what?" She tried to move her hand off his thigh but he tightened his hold, not letting her go.
"Moving, but there's more," he stated and then continued without giving her a chance to say anything. "I want you to come with me."
As soon as she heard those words, her vision blurred and she had to blink several times rapidly to clear the tears from her eyes. There was only one answer for him, but the way he had tensed, he obviously didn't believe that. "Okay."
"Okay?" His voice came out sounding strained. "Okay!" This time he sounded happy and when a huge smile bloomed on his face, Emma knew they had made it over the hurdle and everything would be alright.
As soon as he had blurted out that he was moving and she had immediately tried to remove her hand, his thought had been, you big git, you should have prefaced that by telling her you loved her and wanted her to come with you. The wait after he had continued his statement, telling her he wanted her with him had been one of the longest waits in his life and her simple okay had sent his heart soaring.
"I need to kiss you," he admitted as they flew along the highway.
"I need you to kiss me," was her simple answer.
They passed a sign for a rest stop and, not bothering to ask if that would be alright, he accelerated past several cars, followed the exit lane to parking, and before the car had completely powered down had his lips on hers. Unable to get close enough, he fumbled around for her seatbelt, unlatched it and hauled her across the console into his lap. Her lips were already red from his assault, but the love in her eyes pulled him back for more.
When he released her lips, not wanting to go far, he leaned his head against hers. "You'll really go with me?" He murmured, not understanding how he had gotten so fortunate.
"Killian, of course, I'll really go with you."
"Even though Boston is your home?" He began.
She put her finger over his lips stopping his flow of words. "You've got that wrong. I am home... right here."
He looked outside the car, and then back at her in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Don't you know?" she marveled, "You are my home."
"And you are mine, love," he whispered against her lips just before he captured them again. With her locked in his embrace, he wanted nothing more than to strip their clothes away and worship every inch of her but that would have to wait until later. Releasing her lips, he held her tightly in his arms until their breathing was under control.
Emma scrambled back onto her side of the car. "Do you want to use the facilities before we leave?"
"Waiting is the best option to prevent injury, I believe." He tugged at his jeans to adjust the fit, hoping to prevent zipper teeth from leaving a permanent mark on a certain part of his anatomy.
"Oh," she smirked, "I could help with that, you know."
Putting the car in gear, he headed back toward the interstate. "I believe you've done quite enough to help this time."
Her giggle put a smile on his face, and taking her hand in his, they continued their journey.
cs~cs~cs
After Killian's confession and subsequent request, their journey to Maine was more relaxing for both. Killian no longer had to worry that she wouldn't go with him and Emma no longer had to worry about what the future would hold. They were on the same page, a unit.
Deciding that it was time for her to get to know the brother he grew up idolizing, Killian introduced Liam into the conversation. He shared with her what it was like being the boy that hadn't been expected and how he had been doted on for more years than he cared to remember. How as much as he idolized his brother, in some ways Liam had idolized him even more, almost putting him in a bubble; a place where he never felt pain, but also where he never had to take responsibility. That might seem like a positive way to bring up a child, but it was also a place where he never really felt satisfaction for job well done and felt stagnated in his growth.
"What changed?" Emma asked him quietly.
He smiled, remembering the day things had changed in his life and he had started growing up. "I was ten and Liam was seventeen. He was kicking a ball around with me before it was time for him to get ready for a big date." He glanced her way and made a face, "I kicked the ball and broke one of my mum's garden gnomes and, as usual, Liam took the blame, but this time she didn't let it go. I couldn't stand it any longer and fessed up."
"Oh, that was very mature," Emma sympathized. "I bet Liam really appreciated that you admitted it was your fault."
Killian thought about Liam's behavior after that incident. "Actually, it was just the opposite. He became even more protective, always assuming he knew what was best for me. It was actually freeing when he went off to the University and then joined the Royal Navy."
"Did your relationship change?"
"Aye, Swan, it did." He gave her a little smile. "We were good for a while until something happened with Lily, his wife, and he changed into a man who cared about very little."
"Except you, I gather," Emma added.
"Right, except me. And while one part of me is looking forward to seeing more of Liam, I just wish he would have come up to Boston. Met you, met my friends. Seen what is important to me."
"I'll meet him at graduation, right?" Emma asked him curiously.
"That's right. And I have faith he is going to understand why I love you as much as I do."
She smiled sweetly at him and laid her arm along the back of the seat where she could run her fingers through the hair at the base of his neck. "I have to say that standing up to your brother was a very brave thing to do."
"I was a right little prat." He smiled at her and winked. "And now, I have other priorities." His eyes caressed her face, searing her with their heat.
"Yes, you do," she sighed as her eyes traced the way his hair fell over his forehead and then followed his hairline down over his elf ears to just touch the collar of his shirt.
"Emma," Killian begged, "stop looking at me that way...now."
"Later?" She hoped that's what she heard in his voice.
"Definitely," he promised.
cs~cs~cs
Twenty minutes later, Killian saw a sign advertising Starbucks. "I could use a shot of caffeine. Would you care for something?"
"A hot chocolate sounds wonderful, with..."
"...whipped cream and cinnamon." He smiled at her.
"You know me so well," she affirmed as they waited in the drive through line. "How did I get so lucky?"
Killian kissed her hand. "I think the same thing every day." He leaned across the console for a quick kiss. "We are very lucky to have each other."
Moving forward in line, he gave their orders and pulled forward to pay.
While he was dealing with the drinks, Emma was people watching. There were people of all ages, both singles and families. Her attention was captured by one family that was exiting their van, and the mother was holding a baby of just a few months, the father was holding the hand of a toddler, who looked to be about three or four, and then another boy of eight or nine climbed out, close to Henry's age.
"Henry! Oh no, Killian! We forgot Henry!" Emma exclaimed, feeling panicked.
Killian took the drinks, set them in the holders and pulled into a parking space to give Emma the attention her panicked voice deserved. "Emma, love, what is it?" Careful not to spill the drinks, he moved them to the cup holders in the rear seat and leaned on the console to take her hand.
Emma gripped his arm with her hand. "Killian, that family reminded me of Henry."
Still not understanding, he frowned, "What about him?"
She felt tears fill her eyes. "If we move to NYC, how can we be there for Henry?"
He studied her face, realizing that, indeed, Henry needed to be a factor in their decision because he had become important to them. Could it be as easy as making him a part of their family? "Emma, what if we became his family? Could we become his foster parents and take him with us?"
"Oh, Killian! That's the perfect solution. Should we ask him?"
He thought about it but decided that it would be best to surprise him once it was legal. "No, let's wait until it's time. While I drive why don't you contact Blue and get the paperwork started?"
"Really?" She grinned at him. "I thought this was a no technology day."
"But this is important," he kissed her nose. "Ready?"
When she nodded her head, he pulled out of the spot, and while he drove she contacted Blue and they answered questions to start the process to become Henry's legal foster parents.
cs~cs~cs
The Old Port Festival was held annually to kick off the summer season. Emma had heard about it her entire life, and even though she, Ruby and Ashley had talked about coming up for it, they never had made the drive. Now, she was happy as she was getting to experience it with Killian for the first time.
Stepping off the trolley, her senses were at war as they were constantly bombarded by new sights, sounds and smells. Unsure where to start, they joined the sea of other people who were meandering toward the festivities. On the way to the area where the paintings and other types of art would be displayed, they passed by a booth with mouth-watering smells emanating from it and Emma's stomach decided they would visit the food venue first.
After enjoying a variety of festival foods from pizza to Philly cheese steak, Killian caught Emma eying the cotton candy and bought her a large bag. Stuffing a large piece in her mouth, she grinned up at him, "Yum, I love this stuff."
Wiping a piece of cotton floss off her lip with his thumb, Killian licked it off and made a face. "I fail to see the appeal of that fluff, Swan."
Stuffing another mouthful in, she grinned, "You didn't think it was special. Hmm." Tearing off another piece, she stuffed it in his mouth and pulled his head down for a sugary kiss.
When they parted, Killian licked his lips slowly before reaching into the bag for another bite of cotton. "Perhaps I was a bit hasty with my conclusion."
"Hey," she called, holding the bag away from him, "this is mine, get your own."
His response was to haul her close for another kiss. "That's alright, love, I'll take your leftovers." He kissed her again.
"That works," she muttered around more cotton as her attention was caught by a display of paintings. Moving closer, she studied the artists' use of color and how they had blended them together seamlessly. The paintings, mostly abstract, were displayed in various ways, both hanging and on easels, but each stood in such a manner that its color shown vibrant and true. "At one time, I thought about doing this," Emma mentioned calmly as she walked from piece to piece.
Killian glanced at her before looking back at the display. "What was that? Tossing paint at a canvas to see where it landed?"
"Shush!" She handed him the rest of the cotton candy. "No, ...painting and traveling to art fairs. Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts in the summer, Florida in the winter. But..." She shrugged her shoulders unsure what else to say.
"Didn't want to leave Boston?" he asked her quietly, with a hint of uneasiness behind his words.
Her head came up quickly in response to his question. Seeing a hint of something in his eyes, she laid her hand gently on his arm. "Or maybe I just didn't want to leave alone." His tender expression told her she had said the right thing and, with his hand at the small of her back, he followed her from booth to booth as she perused all the artistic displays.
Once they had reached the end of the art booths, they moved over to the part of the festival where all the games were located. Killian wrapped his arm around Emma's waist, holding her close as they walked along. Everything from ring toss, basketball shots and knocking down weighted bottles with balls could be found, and by the number of people carrying stuffed animals, there were plenty of winners. "Shall I win you one of those unicorns, Swan?" Killian pointed at one of the colorful stuffed animals hanging from the many booths.
Emma gazed around at the brightly colored animals and smiled up at her man. "You're feeling lucky?"
He laughed a low, sexy sound. "What if I am?" His hand caressed the side of her face. "Your heart's desire is all I ever want."
"Well then," she scanned the many choices in front of her, "I want one of those necklaces."
Killian looked to see what she was pointing at and saw several strands of glass beads hanging off to the side, almost hidden from view. "Which color would you like?"
"Oh, that's easy. Blue, like your eyes."
Killian paid for the balls and just before he tossed the first one, turned back to Emma. "A kiss for luck?" he asked her hopefully.
She gave him a flirty smile and took one step forward, reaching toward his lips with hers. When their mouths touched, and clung together, that electric current that was never far away reached inside to grab hold of his heart. As she stepped back and their eyes met, there was a message that hadn't been there before. "Good luck, Killian," she whispered softly.
With one last look at her, he tossed the balls, knocking the weighted bottles aside easily, winning her the blue glass beaded necklace. "Here, love." Killian gently placed it around her neck and kissed her on the cheek. "Beautiful."
Lifting the beads, she inspected them. "They are pretty, aren't they?"
He smiled. "Aye, love, but I was referring to you."
Her shy smile touched something inside of him in a different way. He couldn't give words to the feeling yet, but something momentous was going to happen and he just needed to be ready.
Continuing their journey, they made their way toward one of the stages where musicians performed throughout the day. Emma could hear Elvis Presley songs blasting through the speakers and from the looks of the crowd surrounding the stage, the singer was getting a warm reception.
As it was standing room only, Killian and Emma were lucky to find a place to stand near the back. With the music so loud, though, it was almost impossible to carry on any semblance of a conversation unless you spoke directly into the other person's ear. Taking advantage of an opportunity to be close, Emma stood in the circle of Killian's arms, snug against him. "Blue loved watching old Elvis movies when we were kids," she whispered.
He gave her a grin. "And did you watch them too, Swan?"
"Well," she drew the word out, "I do appreciate a good singer when I hear one."
"Oh?" He gave her a teasing smile.
"Mmm, hmm. In fact, one movie, I remember featured a nun in disguise, and I couldn't believe she didn't fall for the singer. Of course," and she made a face, "Blue didn't agree, but come on."
He looked at her carefully. "Are you trying to tell me you only fell for me because I sing?"
"Well, that, and it certainly doesn't hurt that you look like the Captain Hook I've dreamed about for years." She sighed happily.
"Your heart's desire?" He asked her quietly.
The singer was singing Can't Help Falling in Love with You, one of the songs Elvis sang that Emma really liked. So that there would be no mistaking her message, she wrapped her arms loosely around Killian's neck. "You, Killian. You're my heart's desire." His eyes darkened with such strong emotions that Emma felt her pulse speed up and knew if they weren't in public, he would have no difficulty showing her exactly what those emotions meant. Feeling breathless she waited for him to say something, anything to break the spell that the song was weaving around them as it played on.
As the music from the song faded away, Killian gently kissed her, and using one of the lyrics from the song held his hand out to her. "Take my hand, Swan?" She tilted her head and waited. "What?" he asked, frowning slightly.
She giggled, "You're supposed to finish," and she sang, "and my whole life too. Remember?" She took his hand as they started walking. "I fell for the singer and..."
He hooked his arm around her neck, dragging her close. Nipping her earlobe, he sang the last few lines of the song to her.
Take my hand, take my whole life to
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
His hot breath in her ear caused certain parts of her body to stand up and pay attention, making her wish for a thicker shirt. "You don't play fair."
"Welcome to my world, love," he smirked as he took her hand and they ran to catch the trolley.
cs~cs~cs
After they left the Old Port Festival, Killian planned on driving them to the Fort Williams Park for some quiet time. Stopping at a market just before entering, they chose fruit, bread, cheese and wings for a quick picnic. While standing in line waiting for the cashier, Killian noticed a tub of ice holding several champagne bottles. Without giving it much thought, he picked a bottle and added it to the pile on the counter just as Emma settled in beside him.
"Champagne?" She asked him, curious about his purchase.
"It feels right," he shrugged over the purchase. "We should celebrate."
She studied him for several seconds before agreeing, "We should, but we have no glasses. Should I get some?"
The cashier had been listening to their exchange and handed them two plastic champagne glasses from behind the counter. "They're on the house. Congratulations."
Killian thanked the person, paid for their purchases and they made their way back to the car. As they drove, he thought back over their day and how much he loved spending time with Emma. He found that it didn't matter what they did, or what they didn't do, it was just the fact that they were together.
She was looking out the window of the car and the way the sun made her hair shine very nearly took his breath away. Her face was radiant and when she glanced his way, her eyes were shining like emeralds. Why was he feeling like he was just noticing her for the first time? Like the world around them was more alive?
Turning off the road, he followed a dirt path and parked the car under a canopy of trees. When he got out of the car and walked around to open the door for Emma, he pulled her up and directly into his arms. "Can you feel it?"
She didn't question what he was talking about, but simply answered, "I do. What changed?"
With their arms around each other, they started walking away from the car, toward the water. They had parked high on a cliff, surrounded by huge low hanging trees. The surf could be heard down below, pounding against the rocks and as far as the eye could see, the blues of the ocean mixed with the blues of the sky.
"Do you believe in destiny, Emma?" Killian asked her in a hushed voice.
She smiled up at him. "Killian, I'm an artist. I'm bound to have fanciful thoughts in my head. The question is, do you believe in destiny?"
He didn't say anything for the longest time as they continued their slow journey to the edge of the cliff. "I shouldn't. But my parents should never have met. They should never have fallen in love. Yet here I am, the product of that true love." He stopped to gather his thoughts before continuing, "For the longest time, I felt that I was searching, yet never understood what for exactly. It wasn't until one night twenty months ago that I walked out on stage and I heard a woman laugh, and was instantly captivated." He turned toward her and tilted her chin so they were looking directly into each other's eyes.
"Me?" she breathed out, "You heard me laugh?"
"Aye, love. Your laugh drew me to you and I sang that night directly to you. And by the time I got to...
"Cause I wonder where you are and I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely? Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart, for I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you.
"I knew I had found the one I had been searching for. The year before we found each other again seemed like an eternity, but Emma, I wouldn't change a thing." He kissed her, pouring all his love into that kiss. With the breeze blowing in the trees and the water crashing against the rocks below, he knew what needed to be done. "Marry me." It came out so abruptly he could tell he had shocked her. Taking a deep breath, he tried again, "marry me, Emma Swan. Move to New York City with me as my wife."
cs~cs~cs
When he was talking about the first time he had seen her, the eloquence with which he made the speech had melted her heart, removing all ability to think. He was offering her the world, something that little lost girls should never expect, because dreams were just that, dreams. Her life had taught her that people make their own destinies and shouldn't expect to be saved.
The tears were streaming from her eyes so fast that she kept having to blink to clear her vision. "Killian, I never believed in destiny until one night about twenty months ago, I looked into the face of the man I had been dreaming of for almost ten years. And once I heard your voice and looked into your eyes, you became a part of me. I don't need a ceremony to know how you feel."
He cupped her face, wiping the tears away with his thumbs. "But what if I do?"
"Then a ceremony you shall have." She tightened her arms around his neck and went up on her toes. "Yes, I will marry you."
She saw his smile light up his face before he covered her lips and proceeded to kiss her breath away. When their lips parted it was only brief enough to allow another breath before he swooped in for another kiss, swinging her around and around, their laughter filling the air.
"You make me happy," he told her tenderly.
"I'm glad." Looping her arm through his they started the walk back to the car to get their food. "You make me happy, too."
Killian handed Emma the champagne and glasses and he carried the bags of food and an old blanket and they found a spot for their picnic. Their conversation was full of plans of the future and once they were finished eating they looked through some pictures of apartments in New York, choosing several they liked.
"Killian, some of these are so expensive," Emma exclaimed. "I don't need big. I just need you."
He kissed her quickly before pulling her back into his arms. "I want to give you the world, but will abide by your wishes. We just need something big enough for the three of us."
"Sounds perfect." Leaning back against him she sketched the beauty around her. The trees with their over-hanging branches. The surf crashing into the rocks, periodically sending spray up into the air. The smell of the sea and the flora around them. "Killian, I don't want a big wedding. Just our friends and family." Suddenly, a vivid picture of what she wanted appeared in her head, more real than ever before.
"Can I tell them all how much I love you?" He nuzzled her neck, kissing just below her ear feeling her shiver.
"I think this place," she began, "has been here waiting for us to find it. I want to have our ceremony here, now."
"Now?" Killian gave her a confused look as she jumped up and ran toward a large rock close to the edge of the cliff.
"Now," she nodded. "Help me move this rock."
He shook his head but didn't question her any further, as he could tell she had something on her mind.
Once the rock was moved, she pushed aside enough debris to hollow out a small hole and took off her glass beads. "I believe when two souls are destined to meet, when they become one, nothing can pull them apart. Today, with these beads, I thee wed for as long as this rock, this earth, this sea and the sky shall live. And I promise you that I will never forget these beads and our promise to each other and what they stand for. I love you, Killian." She dropped the beads down into the hole and looked at him expectantly.
Killian looked out at sea and then, their gazes meeting, said his vow to her, "And I promise to always be there when you need me and to never, ever say goodbye to you. I love you, Emma."
With tears rolling down both their cheeks, their lips met above the hole where their beads were resting and with the kiss they affirmed their promise to each other. When they parted, they rolled the rock back on top of the hole and patted the dirt back around it. "This place will always be ours. A place where we pledged our love and made promises to carry with us forever."
Emma stared into his blue eyes memorizing the look in them along with the colors and sounds and smells of the space around them. With the crash of the waves against the cliff below, and the rustle of the wind in the trees and the fact that there were no other people in view, she felt they were the only two souls on the earth.
As if their eyes were communicating the same thing, they moved in unison in a clash of lips and teeth and tongues. The emotional high of the day served as a powder keg to the heat that always sparked to life whenever they were together, and as the kisses continued, an inferno was created.
Killian's body tightened and needing to get closer, he lifted Emma, encouraging her to lock her legs around his hips. He didn't miss the fact that the position put her heat in close proximity to his already straining body. Subtly lifting her up and down served to create friction in just the right place, the fire was soon out of control.
The heat between their bodies exploded into such a combustion that, within minutes, Emma was writhing in his arms, reaching toward that high that can only be experienced between two beings who are truly in love. He felt her push a little closer before she shattered, burying her face in his neck, her body heaving.
As her breathing slowed, she lowered her legs and slid down until her feet touched the ground. His body still throbbing, Killian grabbed handfuls of her shirt and leaning against her forehead, prayed for control.
"But Killian, you didn't..." She reached to touch him.
He grasped her wrist between his fingers. "A minute, love." Her emerald eyes beseeched him to let her help but so great was his need that he was afraid if they started, he wouldn't be able to stop. "I'll be alright."
Walking closer to the edge, he tilted his face to the breeze and thought about all the scientific laws that he'd had to memorize. Surely one of them would serve to bring down what was once up, he groaned, not even allowing the thought to continue, as thinking about the law of gravity certainly didn't help. The image of Emma riding his body up and down until she fell apart was in his head, refusing to disappear.
One of Newton's laws of motion popped into his head next, a body in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force, which certainly described the communication between their bodies just a few minutes ago. Damn, he thought, as his body tingled with energy.
Which led to thoughts of the first law of thermodynamics - energy can be transformed from one form to another, but can never be destroyed, which certainly seemed to be the case between him and his lady, because whenever they were together the energy in the air was palpable. Killian decided what needed to be done and, like a madman, set about making it happen.
Gathering up their things, he hurried back toward the car and stowed them in the rear. Emma was leaning on the hood waiting when he closed the trunk. "Killian? Are you okay?" She moved closer. "Is there anything I can do?
When she pursed her lips extra-long on the word do, and then licked them, it gave him some idea of what she had in mind. And while the idea did excite him, he was beyond instant gratification and straight to what had become the Jones law - to conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles. "When we get home, in many ways." Pulling her head close, he gave her a hard kiss before escorting her around to her side of the car.
As they turned around to get back on the road, he glanced in the mirror and their rock outlined against the sky was the last thing he saw as they drove out of the park.
cs~cs~cs
Emma watched Killian as they drove out of the park and, by the grip he maintained on the steering wheel and the tic in his jaw, it was apparent he was still left with some frustration. Vowing to take care of her man's problem in as many ways as he would allow once they got home, she set about distracting him with wedding plans.
Sending a group text, she shared the news about their engagement with Ruby, Elsa and Ashley. Once the excited emojis slowed down, they started talking about the wedding. She tried to keep Killian distracted while they drove as well as involved in the wedding, periodically asking his opinion. When his comments were limited to only a few words before he once again fell silent, she worried that he was still upset about his discomfort.
With most of the major decisions made, an email was sent to Blue, as she was going to help coordinate the big day. Their wedding would be held in the backyard of the Home where the girls had grown up. They had decided on the Sunday after their Saturday Graduation, which would be convenient, since both Killian and Robin's families would already be in town. Happy with the plans, Emma invited Blue to go wedding dress shopping with them in a few days, and then put her phone away.
Glancing sideways at Killian, she could tell that he still had something on his mind. "Killian?" He didn't say anything, but sent her a look and raised his brow. "Are you still upset over not…" she didn't know why, but she felt the heat climbing up her neck.
He gave her a cheeky smile, kissing her fingers before laying them on his thigh. "I was thinking about Liam."
"Liam?" Both brows went up, "Why?"
"I need to talk to him, Emma. I want my brother back."
There was a lot behind those words that Emma didn't understand and. possibly, Killian didn't understand either. But he was right, the brothers needed time alone to see if they could come together. "Go to New York, Killian. Make things right with your brother," she told him with quiet assurance.
He squeezed her hand. "You wouldn't mind?"
"Why would I mind?" She frowned a little.
"Well, we just became betrothed and I would be running off without you. I would hate for you to feel neglected."
He gave her one of his patented sexy smiles, the kind that caused her heart to flip over in her chest and her panties to catch fire. "I guess you're just going to have to do your best to make sure I don't have any reason to feel neglected. She allowed her fingers to slide up higher on his thigh and gloried at the tightening of his muscles beneath her hand.
"Behave, love. I'd hate to have a crash and not be able to rise," he winked at her, "to the challenge just issued."
Her pinky slid slowly back and forth as he talked, each movement bringing it closer to that area between his thighs that brought her such pleasure. "Should I make you a flight reservation?"
She stopped the motion of her hand before she reached the good parts and with a tiny pout, but a sassy wink, she removed her hand and pulled up the commuter flights for early the next morning. While she was on the phone, she also sent a quick email to Killian's realtor, William Smee, making plans for him to see several of the apartments while he was away. Once the decision was made she could tell Killian's heart was lighter, which made the rest of their journey comfortable, yet the closer they drove to the apartment, the higher their anticipation and need for each other became.
cs~cs~cs
When he drove into the driveway of the large Victorian that Emma had called home for the past two years, the air in the car was so thick, it was almost tangible. The closer they had gotten to home, the more his body had awakened, and the fit of his jeans felt several sizes too small. It didn't help that every time he had glanced Emma's way, her chest was heaving and the thin material of her shirt did nothing to disguise how she was feeling.
Powering down the car, he sifted his fingers through her hair, shining golden in the light from the street. "Do you have any idea how much I want you?" he whispered, not wanting to break the spell surrounding them.
She placed her hand on his thigh allowing her fingers to skim across the placket of his jeans. "Oh, I have some idea," she whispered back. Rolling her bottom lip between her teeth, she leaned toward him, "What do you plan to do about it?" She popped the 't' as she'd heard him do many a time.
"To start with," was all he got out before pulling her head forcefully toward him and covering her lips in a bruising kiss that left her gasping for hair. Slowing his assault on her senses he nipped at her lower lip, causing a quick intake of air before licking across the seam and plunging inside for a heated moment. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about what I want to do to you since the park." He kissed her again before leaning against her head trying to regain his breath.
She squeezed him through his jeans, which caused his body to jump with longing. "Take me inside, Killian."
He was out of the car and opening her door in seconds. He wanted to kiss her but not wanting to waste precious time when they could be naked, took her hand and they hurried up the steps.
Following her up, watching the sway of her ass, he found himself holding tight to the banister, because what he wanted to do to her shouldn't be done on the stairs. As soon as the door was unlocked, he swung her in his arms bridal style, earning him a little squeak. "Shush," he grinned wolfishly, "we made promises to each other today, right?" She gave him a shy smile and nodded her head. "Then it's my right to carry my bride over the threshold."
Once inside he backed her up against the wall, holding her hands on either side of her head. The stance caused her back to arch slightly, pressing her breasts against the hard wall of his chest as he leaned in to suck her earlobe into the hot cavern of his mouth. "I need to show you how much I want you." He ground his hard body against hers and a low moan slipped from her lips before she could stop it. "Your scent...it drives me crazy." He scraped his scruff across her neck. "Your skin...it's just so soft, so kissable."
Finally bringing his mouth back to hers, he invaded with his tongue making her half-moan, half-gasp at how good it felt.
"Again," he sighed into her mouth. "I need to hear those sexy sounds again."
The truth was she hadn't stopped thinking about him since he had given her pleasure at the park. She had barely held her desire at bay while they traveled home, when all she wanted to do was touch him and be touched by him.
When his lips crossed hers again, she took the kiss deep so fast that she was surprised their clothes didn't ignite into flames. "You know you weren't the only one frustrated earlier." He didn't say anything, just lifted that damn brow waiting for her to continue. "I wanted to rip your clothes off. I wanted to touch you." Her gaze held his as she slowly opened his belt. "I wanted to taste you," still watching him, she slid the leather through buckle, "to make you fall apart in my arms, just like I fall apart in yours."
He cupped her jaw. "I'm here, love. Take what you need."
"You, Killian, I need you." Emma kissed down his cheek to his neck while her hands were busy lifting the hem of his shirt. Pulling it over his head, she tossed it in the corner and latched onto his collarbone. His skin was a mixture of soft and hard and tasted of something that was uniquely him.
Once she had the belt free, she slipped loose the button and slowly lowered the zipper. As her fingers grazed his hard body, his hiss showed her just how much he was holding onto his control. She pushed both his jeans and boxer briefs down to his ankles in one motion, his hardness standing tall and proud against his stomach.
Emma looked up at him as she closed her hand around his length, noticing the flare of his nostrils and the tension in the tendons of his neck as he fought for control. She could tell by the tautness of his features that he wasn't going to last long, and when she leaned forward and took him into her mouth, his groan was long and loud. He threaded his fingers through her long hair, controlling her movements with a subtle tightening of his fingers, which kneaded her head in pleasure.
Allowing him to set the pace on the outside, Emma used her tongue to drive him wild from the inside. She swirled it around the top and licked the sides, feeling his breathing accelerate with each stroke. As she continued her motion, never staying in one place too long, she could feel that Killian was barely holding onto his control and knew that it wouldn't be long.
Killian looked down at the woman who was pleasuring him and thought nothing had ever felt this good. Wanting to prolong the feeling, he let his mind fly free and Newton's third law flitted into his mind - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and watching her move with his body, that could never have been truer.
His hands tightened in her hair as hers tightened on his hips. Time ceased to move. Everything seemed to come down to this one moment. This pleasure. This woman. "Emma," he breathed her name reverently, the only sound in the otherwise quiet room. And everything exploded bright and colorful. Even after all the times they'd been together, nothing compared to the storm that had run through his body just now.
Moments later, he was on his knees with her, their kisses more passionate than ever before. She had taken from him something that was more than just the wild eruption. She had taken his soul and now it was his turn. Tearing his lips away, he wrenched his pants aside and lifted her over his shoulder and carried her to bed.
Stopping just shy of it, he slid her body down his until her feet touched the floor. The friction of her sexy curves against his body brought his flaccid flesh back to life and, within minutes, he was once again hard and ready. He seated her on the edge of the bed. "Wait for me," and walked around the room, deftly lighting several candles.
"The candlelight reflecting off your hard...chest looks good," she murmured as he glided back her way.
He pulled her back up, thinking how finally, after all the hours he had been on edge, the time to claim her was here. His desire burned hot, racing through his veins, nearly stealing away his wish to take it slow. And while he had thoughts of claiming her hot and fast, he knew that tonight was not the night. It wasn't about speed. Right now he planned to give Emma endless pleasure with his hands and his mouth and then, afterward, it would be about the two of them and what they could give to each other.
He slid his hand down to cup the nape of her neck. "Do you have any idea how much I need you? How many times I've dreamed about being with you, inside of you, today?"
"Show me, Killian," she murmured as she moved to pull her shirt over her head.
"No, no, no. Let me." He moved his hands to her waist, letting his thumbs skim the soft skin of her abdomen as he lifted her shirt up and over her head, tossing it aside. His fingers brushed over her shoulders, moving her bra straps. "Your skin," he sighed as he lowered his mouth to press a kiss to one shoulder, "it's so soft. So sensitive. And so sweet."
He brushed her hair aside so he could close his mouth over her collarbone. When she arched, offering more of herself to him, he reached around and popped the hooks on her bra. As he worked his way toward her other shoulder he stopped to lick at the hollow in her throat, thinking how intoxicating her taste was, making it difficult to hold onto his self-control.
"Killian." He could feel her nipples through her satin bra beading hard against his chest as she pressed tightly against him while working to bring her breathing under control.
He gave her more of what she wanted by tasting the upper swell of her breasts on the way to her other collarbone. She didn't say his name again, but every sexy little moan she made caused his heart to flip and his body to tighten even more.
Lifting his mouth from her skin, he stepped back so he could slide her bra down her arms, dropping it at their feet. "This picture," he said in a voice that was already raw with need, "of you standing here with the candlelight casting shadows is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. A sight I'll replay in my head over and over again."
She drew a shaky breath, "I will too. The way you look at me is just so," at a loss for words she ran her hands up and over his pectoral muscles, "as if I'm..."
"Beautiful," he breathed out. "You are so beautiful." With shaky hands, he unbuttoned her jeans and slowly lowered the zipper. Pushing them down her smooth legs, he left her in only a pair of tiny, translucent panties, and the sight of her caused his mouth to water with the need to taste. Hooking his hands in those tiny panties, he pushed them off, leaving her bare to his feasting eyes.
"It doesn't matter how many times I see you without clothes, you still take my breath away," he told her reverently as his eyes worshipped her body.
She sucked in a breath when he cupped her bare flesh and as he slid his hands over her taut peaks, she closed her eyes, a gentle shudder working its way through her system. Her nipples were hard against his palms, and though he tried to be gentle, he couldn't control the urge to stroke, to tease.
"Whenever I touch you, your skin flushes," he murmured as he grazed his fingers over her, teasing both of them. "Did you know that?"
"All you have to do is look at me and you set me on fire," she answered him, fanning the flame that was burning higher and higher.
She felt like heaven, but it wasn't enough to just touch, he wanted to taste. He didn't give her any warning as he lowered his mouth to her breast and then he was licking, kissing, sucking. First at the sweet, soft flesh and then moving to the hardened tips that beckoned to him again and again. He was starved for her, desperate for her, needing her more than he could ever remember needing her before.
Emma moaned his name and arched her back and pushed herself farther up on the bed. Following her, he cupped her breasts in his hands, pressing them together so that every kiss, every scrape of his teeth across her nipples, came right on the heels of another.
She moaned his name, and lifting his head he studied her face. Her eyes were so dark, he could barely see any green and her bottom lip was swollen as if she had been nibbling on it to keep quiet while he had been kissing other parts of her body. Unable to resist, he took her lips with his, devouring her mouth, continuing to pull them both higher and higher.
Slowly, so slowly that he knew it just might kill him, he slid his hand down her body, over her breast, her flat stomach to finally, finally cup her hot, wet heat. She moaned and shifted her hips higher into his hand and Killian knew he was close to the edge. Too close. So close that he might not be able to form coherent thoughts much longer.
Kissing his way down over her soft breast, her taut stomach, until he reached her heated skin, he replaced his hand with his mouth. When he found her with his lips and tongue, she made a sound that he thought might be his name, but he could barely hear over his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He could feel her rising, reaching for the top, as he slicked his fingers, first one, then another, into her. "I need to feel you let go, Emma."
He looked up her body as he played his fingers and tongue over her, one between her thighs and the other on her breasts. He knew she was close and lowered his mouth back to her sweet skin just as he thrust two fingers into her. Curling them against her sensitive inner flesh, he felt her shatter and her muscles tightly gripped him as she rocked against his hand again and again.
Killian still wanted more, though, and before Emma's body fully recovered, he brought her back up again.
"I can't-" she began faintly.
But he could feel how close she was to coming apart again, and in moments he could feel the tension building in her. Shifting, he kissed her mouth while still pleasuring her with his fingers. "Once more, love." He thrust his tongue against hers, setting the same rhythm as his fingers. Within seconds she splintered shattered around him, becoming boneless in his arms.
He gripped her head between his hands, urging her to look at him, and covered her body with his as he entered her slowly. "I love you Emma," he repeated just before he started to move.
The pace he set was frantic, wanting her to let go one more time before he spiraled out of control. Twisting his hips, trying to give her exactly what she needed in just the right place. Sweat pouring from his body, he looked down into her face.
"Let go for me, Emma," He pleaded as his body threatened to drag him over the wave.
She looked up at him, her eyes glassy with the pleasure. "But I'm not ready for it to end," she moaned as his hips hit just the right spot.
From somewhere deep inside, Killian found the ability to slow his moving hips, turning the movement into a slow, sensuous dance. "But, Emma," he sighed against her lips as he twisted his hips, feeling her shiver. "Today wasn't about our happy ending." Another twist as he slid out and then back in slowly. "Today was just the beginning. Our happy beginning."
With one final push, he felt her body tighten around him and their release pulsed, hard and desperate between them.
Emma felt like her bones had melted and the only thing holding her together was her skin. She thought about Killian's words about today being their happy beginning, deciding that it fit perfectly. They were graduating, moving to a new city, and had begun the process to become Henry's family.
Rolling to his side, Killian spooned himself around her just the way she liked. It was warm and made her feel surrounded by his love. As sleep pulled her under, her future had never seemed brighter.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Be sure and let me know what you thought. Chapter 12 will be posted next Wednesday.