And here we are at Chapter 12 and you'll finally get to meet Liam. Hold on tight because that roller coaster is coming close to the top. Here we go...
Chapter 12
Sunday in Mid May 2016
When Wake Up Little Suzie started to play on Killian's phone, Emma groaned and opened one eye. "That time already?"
"I'm afraid so, love." He rolled over, shut off the music and pulled her close to nuzzle her neck. "But I will be back tonight. What are your plans for the day?"
Emma pressed her cheek against the side of his head and inhaled deeply, "Since I've already cleaned out my office on campus, the only plans I have are with Henry."
"And how will you and the lad spend your time together?" He murmured.
She ran her hand up and down his bare back, eliciting a groan of contentment. "I thought I would let him choose between a trip to the beach or to the aquarium. We'll miss you, though."
"I'll miss you too, but this is something I need to take care of, and while there I'm going to look at those apartments." He kissed her quickly, moving away before it could progress any further. "I'd better jump in the shower or I'm going to miss my flight. Join me?"
Emma smiled up at him. "If I joined you in the shower, you probably would miss your flight. Besides, someone kept me up all night and I'm still tired."
"I didn't hear any complaints." He tipped her chin capturing her lips again. " Go back to sleep. I'll wake you before I leave."
Emma watched him push off the bed and grab a pair of boxer briefs from a basket of clean laundry. In the dim light, she could see the subtle movement of the muscles beneath his trim frame and when he noticed she was watching and winked at her, she almost crawled out of bed to join him. Only the fact that he was catching an early flight kept her snuggled down under the warm blankets.
As she lay lightly dozing, she could hear Killian singing the chorus to Wake Up Little Suzie over the sound of the shower as he got ready to fly to NY to meet with Liam. It was difficult for her to visualize the person Killian described to her while growing up, with the man who seemed to have no desire to spend time with his brother or meet the woman who had captured his attention some twenty months ago. Even though he had been invited up several times, Liam had always had a convenient excuse to decline. She knew that it hurt Killian for there to be such distance between them and mentally crossed her fingers that they would be able to put the past behind them.
Hearing the bathroom door open, bringing with it the steamy heat from the hot showers, she cracked her eyelids slightly as he moved from there into the walk-in closet. Once he was out of sight, she listened to the sounds emanating from inside and imagined him sliding a pair of jeans up his legs, allowing them to hang around his waist as he reached for a shirt. He would then rifle through his shirts before settling on the first one he had touched, pulling it off the hanger, slipping it on and buttoning it up, leaving that chest she loved to nuzzle uncovered. Once his shirt was tucked into his pants and they were buttoned and zipped, he added a belt to complete the process. Black socks and his favorite pair of boots were slipped on added before it was all topped with his black leather jacket. But then it was back into the bathroom to check out his hair and make sure it was artfully mussed.
The images of his dressing ritual served to stir her senses just enough for her to realize there would be no more sleep without Killian beside her. With a sigh of what could be if he weren't leaving, she climbed out of bed and slipped on a robe, tying the belt just as he stepped out of the steamy bathroom for the second time. Without warning, he invaded her space, wrapping one arm around her back, the other around her neck, tucked a knee between her legs and backed her against the wall as his lips hovered over hers.
"Looking for me?" He tucked her a little tighter against his hard chest.
Not one to be outdone, Emma tightened her hold of his jacket lapels and pulled his lips flush with hers. As always when she was in Killian's arms, her heart sped up and her breath halted in her chest and she became lost in the moment. His embrace always made her feel as if she were truly home and his lips without fail sent her flying to the stars. As the kiss slowed, she loosened her grip, allowing their lips to separate but their foreheads to remain in contact and opened her eyes slowly. "Are you driving to the airport?"
"Aye, Swan. And I should go. Walk me down?"
Mindful of the early hour, Emma linked their hands and followed him down the stairs. "Do you want food before you leave?"
He opened the front door and pulled her in for one more hug. "I'll get something at the airport. I'll see you tonight." He kissed her again before walking out into the still dark morning, got into his car and drove off. Emma shut the door and headed back up the stairs for a hot shower and a strong cup of coffee or two, for a morning person, she was not.
cs~cs~cs
Killian fastened his seatbelt and sat back watching out the window as the plane taxied down the runway. He wished Emma were sitting next to him but knew that this step needed to be taken alone. Even though he had been talking about her for nearly two years and they had been together over nine of those, she still hadn't met his family. Liam was still too bitter from whatever had happened with Lily to listen to him when he professed his love for Emma. The walls his brother had constructed were too tall to allow him to believe that she was different, that they were different, and he had refused to meet them halfway. But now, he thought with a smile, everything was different. He had proposed, and she had accepted. Graduation was in a week and they planned to marry in a quiet ceremony the following day. And then, before settling into their place in New York and starting their life together, he planned on taking her to Europe to show her a little about his beginnings. Nothing could make him happier. He just hoped his brother listened and stopped behaving like the arse he had come to expect.
While he was in the City, Killian also hoped to secure a place for him and Emma to live once they moved to town after their honeymoon. He pulled out the listings of the two condos they had finally decided would fit their needs. Both were located on The Upper East side and both were perfectly suitable for the three of them. But neither was what he wanted to give to his new family. He pulled a folded listing from his pocket and stared at the brownstone with its 4-bedrooms, 3.5-bath, and 6 fireplaces. It was four floors and the perfect place for them to start their lives and raise a family, however the number of zeros in the price when he had suggested looking at it had upset Emma. He briefly wondered what she would say if he purchased it without telling her, but then quickly threw out that idea as he knew exactly how she would react. He could hear her lovely voice perfectly, "Killian, I don't need things, I just need you." And while he felt the same way, he still wanted to give her objects and experiences that she had never had before. That wasn't too hard to understand, was it? He didn't think so but maybe he would wait a few years for the brownstone. After all, their life together was just beginning, and they had forever.
When they landed at La Guardia, he deplaned and quickly hailed a cab for the ride to look at the properties they had chosen. William Smee met him at the first one, a decent sized two-bedroom place on 92nd street that he knew Emma would appreciate for its high ceilings and marble floors. He also looked at a new construction unit on 89th street that was on the twenty-third floor with both eastern and southern views but worried that the fact that the condo was all sterile chrome, marble and glass wouldn't contain enough life to appease Emma's artistic eye. When Mr Smee happened to mention a three-bedroom condo that had just come on the market, Killian made a quick decision that he thought his fiancé would appreciate.
On the way to E 73rd Street, Killian sent the link to the apartment to Emma and was pleased when she sent back a positive response and that she trusted his judgment. When they walked into the building, he couldn't help but appreciate the doorman and realized the 24-hour security might be something beneficial in more ways than one in a busy city. A quick decision had him placing a call to Emma and as they entered the apartment, he kept his phone on, allowing her to see what he was seeing as they walked through the front door. The minute they walked inside, he heard her intake of breath and hoped it was because she felt it too - that instant connection and knowledge that this was the place they would call home. From the decorative wainscoting on the walls to the real wood floors throughout, Killian continued to grow more confident with his choice until a vivid picture formed in his mind's eye.
He could see their furniture filling the front room, from period pieces to overstuffed colorful chairs they would choose together. The master bedroom would hold a large king-sized bed and, if it were the same as with their bed now, both sleeping in the middle, never wanting to be too far apart. The closet held their clothes, the bathroom door, both their robes. There was a second bedroom that would be perfect for Henry and an extra bedroom for when Emma's friends came to visit. Everything he needed to make his future perfect. He stepped out onto the balcony, turning the phone back so he could see her beautiful face, "What do you think, Mrs. Jones? It's perfect, isn't it?"
Emma's exaggerated eye roll was understood perfectly. "You're rushing things, Killian. What if that's bad luck?" The smile on her face told him that she couldn't wait for that to be true any more than he could.
"No bad luck, love. Just anxious for you to be my wife." He took a deep breath. "This is sufficient to meet our needs, isn't it? A bedroom for us, one for Henry and an extra for friends."
"It's perfect, Killian. Thank you for understanding me."
"Of course, love. I'm glad we found this place and I can't wait to move into it with you, and of course, Henry."
"I love the place," she smiled tenderly, "but it's not the place we live that I need, I just need you."
"And I you, Emma. I'll see you in a few hours, alright?"
"Hurry back, Killian." She blew him a kiss before disconnecting the call and after pocketing his phone, Killian went inside to meet with Mr. Smee. Standing in the kitchen signing the papers, a shadow briefly crossed the sun causing a slight shiver to run through his body, even this close to the end of May. Killian was happy when it didn't linger, and they were able to finish the paperwork without further complications.
cs~cs~cs
After saying goodbye to her fiancé, Emma hugged the phone to her chest and spun in a circle laughing. Such an unEmma thing to do but a feeling that was becoming more and more commonplace in her life. She sank down onto the sofa and, still holding her phone to her chest, pinched her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She couldn't believe how much her life had changed in the past two days and how it would change even more in the next few weeks. As of yesterday, she was engaged to marry Killian. As of today, they had a new house to move into in New York City. And in just over a week, she would graduate and marry the man of her dreams. What more could a woman want? Or need?
Taking her phone, she pulled up the photos they had taken yesterday of their cliff, as she would always consider it to be. Sitting high above the water, sheltered by an umbrella of trees, was the place they had pledged to love and always know what the other person needed. Their pledge had been accompanied by the rustle of the leaves as the breeze blew through them and by the spray from the waves as they washed ashore carrying drops of salt water from the sea. And when they had sealed their promise by placing the beads Killian had won for her under a large stone where they would be protected for all of time, she had felt happier than at any other time in her life.
Picking up her art book she opened to the sketch that she had drawn while they were sitting around making plans for the future. As soon as they drove through the canopy of trees, her fingers had itched to draw what was around them. She kept thinking that if she captured the picture with charcoal, the memory would stay with her forever and it would feel real and not like a really good dream. Can I bring it to life, she wondered? Wanting to try, she pushed off the sofa and went to gather supplies.
Setting up her easel with a new canvas, close to the best light, was the first step she took to try and create the image she was seeing in her head. Gathering her paints, brushes and palette, she pushed play on her playlist and was ready. As she studied her sketch and looked back at the pictures they had taken, she found herself closing her eyes, revisiting the cliff again, if only this time in her mind. She wanted to try to recapture the very essence of the spot by using all of her senses. Seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting and touching the very heart of the place was her goal as she picked up her pencil and made the first mark on an otherwise clean canvas.
Her playlist was on its second time through when she completed her sketch and sat back to examine her work. She liked it and not taking any time to rest, arranged her palette with a variety of colors and started painting. The way the sky, the water, the trees and the ground fused into one another in harmony, yet when one studied the picture each area could be uniquely discerned. And just as always, she was amazed that as the picture came together there seemed to be some indefinable component that spoke to her and allowed her to appreciate what she had created. As she applied each individual color to the canvas and then blended them together, so one would never know they were not always the same parts of a whole. She had always felt that there was a little magic involved in her art. She also thought it was like her and Killian, individuals in their own right yet together a strong and unbreakable bond existed.
Emma cleaned her brush and picked up her favorite sable filbert that allowed her to soften the edges of the leaves. This would allow them to blend more with the branches and afterward with the sky when she was ready to add that. Experimenting with colors, she created a mixture of the many moods of the ocean, where they had pledged to love each other forever. Shades of blue mixed with green, a little white showing the breaking of the waves as they rose and fell when coming to meet the sand. Allowing herself to get lost in the moment, she created on canvas a picture so lifelike she imagined she could feel the breeze blowing and hear the roar of the water. Finally, reaching a point where she could do no more until it dried, she cleaned up with a sense of satisfaction running through her veins and excitement to share her work with Killian. She hoped he would hang it on the wall in his office and every time he looked at it, he would think about her.
cs~cs~cs
Leaving their new home behind, Killian followed E 73rd St all the way to Madison Avenue before heading back uptown. His plan was to walk until his thoughts coalesced and then make his way to the nearest train station on his way to Liam's in West Village. As he meandered he allowed his mind to catalog the differences between living in Cambridge versus living here in New York City. While Cambridge was busy and crowded, there were also homes with grass in front of them as well as backyards. The homes had lovely verandas where they could sit and talk about their day. Living in an apartment where they had to walk to the park to step onto the grass or throw a frisbee was going to take some adjustment.
As he neared 59th and Madison, Killian saw the sign he had been looking forward to visiting. It was old and worn, appearing as if it had been there for hundreds of years, but Killian knew that in reality, it had only been there six. Hidden Gems had been born when Robin's mum had passed and his father had moved to the states to take over a jewelry business that had been on the verge of folding. From what he understood, Marco had the right touch and the business was once again a thriving one. When he pushed open the door, he heard the tinkling of a bell heralding his arrival, but other than that all other sounds were hushed. There were two other customers in the small shop, each assigned salesperson hovering nearby. One was an older woman with her hair up in a bun, tiny glasses on her face and the other a petite dark headed woman who looked up as he entered.
"Welcome to Hidden Gems," she said as she came around the glass cases. "I'm Jasmine. How may I be of assistance?"
"Killian Jones." He shook her hand looking around to see if Robin's father had shown up. "I'm looking for Marco." She disappeared to the back of the store and he bent over looking at the array of diamonds, wondering which, if any, fit Emma.
"Killian?" He turned and saw Marco walking toward him, a concerned expression on his face. "My boy, he is fine?"
It took a moment for Killian to process that Marco thought he was there because something had happened to Robin. "He's fine," he quickly assured the older man. "I left him working on his last project before graduation."
"Has he met anyone like your Emma?" he asked a wistful tone in his voice.
Killian grinned, "No one is like my Emma, but if that's your subtle way of asking if he's settled on one woman, then maybe, but I'll let him fill you in about that."
Marco sighed, "I will have a talk with him at graduation then. Come, I have just what you need." He walked away, expecting Killian to follow, all while grousing under his breath about Robin not letting his papa know what was going on in his life. Killian bit his lip to keep from laughing out loud as this wasn't the first time he had heard Marco's complaints. Following him into his office, Marco pointed at an empty chair. "Sit." Without another word, he walked to the bookshelf in the corner and moved aside a few books, revealing a hidden safe. With a pensive look on his face, he spun the old-fashioned dials, the look on his face moving to satisfaction as the last number clicked into place and he opened the door, reaching inside.
Shuffling back across the room, he placed something in Killian's hand. "For your Emma," he stated with quiet satisfaction.
Killian looked down at the ring in his hand and with only the overhead light shining on it, there was no doubt that what Marco had given him was indeed a very special ring. He looked up at his best friends' father, giving him a crooked smile, "How did you know? Even Robin doesn't know yet." He shook his head and a slight frown appeared between his brows.
Marco smiled tenderly as he studied the young man sitting across from him. "When you've known love, and had as many years as I did with my Rosie," he crossed himself as he murmured, "God rest her soul. You recognize True Love when you see it."
Killian glanced back down at the ring and could imagine sliding it on her finger. It was perfect for Emma. Simple in design yet the diamond was brilliant in its cut and clarity. Not quite believing that he had been given such a perfect ring and that it would make its home on the finger of the woman he had been looking for his entire life, he gave Marco a gentle smile, "Thank you. I'll not accept this as a gift, though."
Pushing himself up from his desk, Marco patted him on the back. "Don't worry my son, we'll work it out. Let's find a box."
Killian followed Marco out of the office and watched him clean the ring and put it in a black box where the diamond's shine was displayed magnificently against the black velvet interior. When he started to put it into a bag with the shop's logo on it, Killian stopped him and slipped it into his jacket pocket. "For luck. I'm off to speak to Liam."
Marco walked with Killian to the shop's door. "Now what can you tell me about the special lady in my Robin's life?"
Killian quirked an eyebrow and let out a little chuckle. "Robin might have met his match."
"Oh?" Marco got a contemplative look on his face. "This sounds very positive. It sounds like I need to speak with my son, and very soon."
Killian opened the door and looked back at Marco. "Something tells me the next time you speak to Robin he's going to have some news."
"I really need to speak to my son." Marco repeated again.
"Aye. I just hope the news is what I think it's going to be." He pulled Marco into a bear hug. "Thank you again. I'll will see you at graduation and the wedding."
"Be happy. I will see you and your lovely bride soon." Killian waved one last time and left the store to continue his journey.
The rest of his walk was uneventful and as soon as he was in the elevator on his way to Liam's new home, his frustration at this entire situation grew. Growing up, he had always been close to Liam, even though Liam was seven years older. He had been someone who was a good friend and a person who would always support him, no matter the circumstance. Since his situation with Lily, he had turned from the supportive brother to someone who was autocratic. The fact that his brother had not met the woman he planned to make his wife was untenable. He just hoped that Liam didn't push and try to make him choose, for as much as he loved his brother, he was not willing to lose Emma. A future without her in it would be a bleak place. As he stepped off the elevator, he wrapped his hand around the box in his pocket, allowing its symbolism to calm him as he had known it would.
Killian knocked three times swiftly on the door and waited for it to be opened. He hadn't told Liam why he was going to be in the City today, just that they needed to talk, preferably at his home. Hearing the door being unlatched from inside, Killian stroked the ring box one more time and murmured, "Here goes nothing," just as the door opened.
"Brother, it's good to see you." Liam pulled him into a hug. "What brings you to the City so close to graduation?"
Killian was taken aback upon seeing Liam for the first time in months. His brother looked unkempt. His hair was too long so it was a tangled mess of curls, his beard was unruly and his clothes were wrinkled as if he had been sleeping in them. "I bought a place to live."
His first impression of Liam's new home was that it was grandiose and nothing like he had expected when he had heard about its purchase. As he followed Liam inside, he noted the large open concept ended in floor to ceiling windows, displaying a view of the skyline beyond. Killian had an impression of a large space carved from glass and marble and loneliness. While the room wasn't overly furnished, he noted a table by the entryway, one behind the sofa and one next to the sofa, and the only item of a personal nature was a glass vase that had been a favorite of their mother's. The place appeared devoid of life, very sterile, with the only mementos of childhood being a few family pictures on the shelf next to the fireplace.
Off to the left jutted a hallway, ostensibly to a bed or powder room, and to the right pillars separated a chef's kitchen with high-end appliances and marble countertops. Between the kitchen and another set of windows was a separate dining space holding a large walnut table and chairs. He could also see to the right a staircase, but this one leading down, and not up as was usual, indicating a whole other floor to the condo. Much too large for one man, and after spending most of his time in a tiny cabin on a ship, a rather ostentatious move. He was so lost in thought trying to integrate the two parts of Liam that he almost missed Liam's question.
"A place to live?" Liam frowned at him as he fell onto one of the sofas. "I thought you would stay with Nemo or me for a while until you learned your way around."
"Well," Killian stalled by moving over in front of the window to stare out at the skyline, "I thought Emma and I needed our own place to start our married life." He turned back to face Liam, essentially readying for battle should it come to that.
"You're marrying that twit? You have no idea what you are letting yourself in for!" Liam pushed himself up from the sofa, his arm catching the glass vase that shattered against the floor, the harsh sound echoing in the silence of the room.
Killian winced as he looked at the shattered remains of something that had been one of their mum's most prized possessions. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he worked to keep his temper under control even though all he wanted to do was hit something. "Don't you talk about Emma that way," his voice came out low and ominous, like a panther's warning growl before he pounces. "You don't even know her."
Liam prowled the room, never quite settling in one place. "I know the type. Bang her if you must, but marry her? I'll not allow it!"
Killian didn't think, just advanced on Liam and grabbed handfuls of his shirt. While Liam had several inches and pounds on him, Killian's adrenaline was zipping through his system. "I said do not talk about her like that." His measured tone leaving no doubt in either of their minds that he was the one in control. Pushing Liam away, he shook his head at what had become of their relationship and he didn't know if it could be fixed, in fact, if he were honest with himself, he didn't know if he even wanted it to be fixed. The man standing before him was not a person he could respect. "Liam, I've been saying this since the first moment that I saw Emma almost two years ago. That just like our father, one look was all it took. You don't know my Emma, why must you be so quick to judge?" Suddenly weary from the events of the day, he dropped into the nearest chair. "Liam," he said quietly, "you haven't answered my question. How can you be so quick to judge?"
Liam didn't answer immediately but continued prowling around the room, as if looking for a way to respond. Finally, he too dropped onto the sofa adjacent to where Killian sat, and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "I said I know the type. She's just like Lily." He finally mumbled without meeting Killian's eyes.
The way he shifted his eyes told Killian that there was more to the story, but Liam would have to choose to share it, knowing from experience that his brother never shared easily. "It's been years, Liam, yet you still wear your pain like a badge of honor. Isn't it time to let it go?"
Liam barked out a laugh. "That's real funny coming from the guy who vowed revenge on the already dead guy who got drunk and killed our parents. And when that didn't work, you whored across Europe for nearly a decade."
Killian winced at the truth behind Liam's words. "It wasn't quite that bad," he kept his voice even, "but I've worked to change." He swallowed, the taste of regret strong in his mouth and attempting to redirect the conversation, tried another tactic, "I've accepted my past and acknowledge it. My past is what makes me the man I am today, just as Emma's past is what makes her the woman she is today." Once again, he reiterated, "I accept me, but what's more important is Emma accepts and loves me. Shouldn't that be worth something?" When Liam still refused to look at him, Killian tossed out another argument that had lingered between them for too many years. "Liam, I'm a man who is over thirty-years-old. Don't you think it's about time you allow me to make my own decisions?"
Liam continued to sit quietly, and Killian had just about decided to leave when finally, Liam responded, "You don't know the pain that loving a woman like that can cause." The pain behind the words caused a tiny sliver of hope to bloom inside and mentally he crossed his fingers hoping that a fragile truce was imminent.
Assuming a nonchalant pose by leaning back in the chair and crossing one leg over the other, Killian linked his fingers and waited. "I've some time before my flight. Perhaps it's time you shared."
cs~cs~cs
Running late because of her painting spree, Emma was just getting out of the shower when she heard her phone ping from an arriving text. Picking it up she saw several messages, all from Henry, all sent with a span of 10 minutes.
10 min ago
Henry: Emma? You coming?
7 minutes ago
Henry: Emma? Where are you?
2 minutes ago
Henry: Emma? I'm waiting.
Shaking her head at the impatience of youth, she sent a response.
Emma: Sorry kid. Was painting. Leaving now. Beach or do you have something else in mind?
His immediate reply came through.
Henry: The aquarium of course. Can we go, please?
Emma winced as Killian loved the aquarium just as much as Henry did.
Emma: Killian won't be with me today. That ok?
He didn't answer for a few minutes and she knew he was contemplating other activities.
Henry: It's ok. Can we stop at Granny's?
Emma: Sure kid. I'm always in the mood for a grilled cheese. See you in a few.
Henry: I'll be waiting. Hurry.
Smiling at his excitement, she grabbed her jacket, pocketed her phone and left skipping down the steps with happiness. When she reached the bottom, she heard an unexpected noise and quickly turned toward it surprised to discover that Robin had Regina backed up against a wall and was kissing her as if there were no tomorrow. Her next thought was that Regina had on the same red dress she had been wearing on Friday, which meant she hadn't been home in a while. "Well, it's about time," she muttered softly, but obviously not softly enough, as they quickly broke apart.
Robin quirked a corner of his mouth. "Well hello, Emma. Isn't it a beautiful morning?"
She grinned at the look of embarrassment on the always proper Regina Mills' face and thought it was wonderful that Regina had finally allowed Robin up close and, it seemed, quite personal. Regina gave her a tiny smile and a muttered hello before attempting to put some distance between herself and Robin, but to Emma's amusement, Robin held her in place. Perhaps he was right in claiming that he was the one who was meant to crack Regina's tough exterior, after all.
"And where have you two been?" Emma lifted a brow and tried to use a rather authoritative voice, which was belied by the twinkle in her eye.
Robin's happiness was a joy for Emma to see, as he had been mooning over Regina for months, and it appeared his persistence had finally paid off. "Oh, sod off," he quipped. "It's not as if I haven't been privy to a snogging session or two or three between you and loverboy the past few months."
Emma giggled, "True. Carry on then," but didn't immediately leave, just stood there staring at them like a proud parent.
Robin eventually got tired of her and groused, "Be off with you," while making a motion with his hand as if he were sweeping the ground.
Rolling her eyes and tossing them a grin, Emma headed toward the door. Just as she opened it, she heard, "‛Bout bloody time. Now, where were we?" She didn't turn back before she shut the door but figured she had a pretty good idea of what she would have seen had she done so.
Thankfully the train station wasn't far and with only a short wait, she was able to board the red line and settle for her short ride to Dorchester. Relaxing back in her seat, Emma still felt giddy about the development between Regina and Robin. Tempted to send a text to Killian, she pulled out her phone, but seeing the time realized he was probably in the middle of whatever was happening with Liam and decided to wait until later. It had been a long time in coming and they both were happy for their friends.
Getting lost in the scenery as it flew past the windows, she allowed her thoughts to meander as often happened when she was in a period of transition in her life. Today's deep thoughts centered around the concept of time and the many directions that your thoughts could take it. Some directions, such as yesterday or tomorrow, easy to understand but other concepts of time, quite complex. The way time moved, sometimes too slowly and other times so quickly that you aren't sure where the days, months or years had gone. And even though it was impossible to turn time back, it wasn't unheard of for someone to wish that were possible.
In her lifetime, Emma had known bad times and good ones, however, she could honestly say that the past two years had been the very best time of her life. Killian, her very own dream man come to life, loved her and they were going to be married, their future brighter than anything her imagination had ever been able to conjure. A future that she wanted to grab onto with both hands and never let it go. A future so bright and shiny that she was scared something might try to take it away, but knew that if that happened, she would fight with everything she had to get it back.
And now with the decision made to be Henry's foster parents, they would have time to make things right with him. To give him a family. She just hoped they wouldn't have to wait too long, because how does an adult explain that to a child? As a lost girl, a child who for whatever reason had not been wanted, she always had a soft spot in her heart for children, but there had been an instant connection between her and Henry. She still couldn't believe that it had been Killian's suggestion to be Henry's foster parents. However, since the decision has been made so quickly and within the month they would be married and moving to New York City, she was left feeling unsettled. She knew that Blue and Marion would do everything under their power to make sure that Henry would be able to be with them as soon as possible but there were still steps they had to follow. An updated email had arrived this morning from Marion, and even though what she had heard was not unexpected, the fear that they might have to leave Henry behind in Boston caused her stomach to tie itself into knots and made her heart hurt. She remembered part of their email clearly:
...things are beyond our control at this point, Emma.The background checks were completed before you started spending time with him and are still in order, but there needs to be a family evaluation and a home inspection and since you and Killian are getting married and moving, well it makes the most sense for it to be completed once you've settled.
Emma sighed, as she knew that Marion was only doing what was best for Henry and that there were rules that had to be followed, but it didn't make it any easier. What to tell Henry had to be decided quickly and, once again, time seemed to be in charge.
When the train arrived at the station and Emma arrived at the Home, she laughed at the view he presented as she went up the walk. His little hand pointing at his wrist in a dramatized fashion, scolding her for being so late. Emma pursed her lips and pantomimed turning and leaving and when Henry disappeared, prepared herself for a flying little boy body. It wasn't long and just as expected the front door burst open, and he barreled through straight into her arms. "Emma! You're here!"
"Hey kid," Emma hugged him tightly using exaggerated movements to swing them back and forth. "Sorry I'm late."
"But you're here now. Can we go?" He grabbed her hand and started walking back in the direction of the train station as if he had no patience for anything else.
"Whoa, kid, where's the fire? We need to let Marion know we're leaving."
Once inside Emma sent Henry to get his jacket and set off to find Marion and give her updated information on her move. Marion was sitting behind a desk, frowning at a computer screen and so she knocked lightly on the door so as not to startle.
Marion looked up with a smile. "Emma, come in. Are things okay?" She moved around the desk to give her a hug.
"Things are wonderful. I just wanted to tell you that Killian found us a place to live and we'll move into it at the beginning of July. Does that give you time to work with a social worker in New York, so we can take him with us?" She bit her lip nervously waiting for an answer.
Marion gave her an understanding look. "I know you're anxious, but you really need to be living in the home before the next steps can take place. But don't worry, once you're settled, everything should move smoothly, and I will personally help him pack."
Taking a deep breath, Emma started to say more but heard running feet and assumed it was Henry. When he peeked around the corner and gave her an impish grin, she was glad he hadn't overheard anything that might cause questions that she wasn't quite ready to answer. "Ready now?" He asked her excitedly.
Marion walked with them to the door and with a wave goodbye they were ready to leave. On the way to the train, she let him choose the topic of conversation and somehow was able to follow his ping ponging thoughts. After they had boarded the Blue Line for their ride, he looked up at her. "So, where's Killian?"
Emma glanced down at him quickly before she looked back up to watch for their stop. "He's in New York seeing his brother."
He was quiet for a few minutes. "Think they're working things out?" he finally let slip, knowing that he was going to be busted for eavesdropping.
Emma let out a surprised laugh and frowned down at her charge. "And how do you know there's something to work out?" she asked him with raised brows.
"Well," he began as if hesitant to say too much, "I might have heard something..." And then he rolled his eyes to meet hers and gave her a mischievous grin, assuming that it would blow over and all would be okay.
Emma ruffled his hair and took his hand as they exited the train. "Granny's first?" she asked as they approached Faneuill Hall, a group of historic buildings close to the aquarium where Granny's was located.
"Of course," he directed her toward the proper door of the building, "and then after we finish at the aquarium, we can come for ice cream at Ghiradelli." He gave her a hopeful look as he pulled open the door and they were led to a booth.
"Good plan, kid. Now fill me in on what's been happening at school."
I did say you would meet Liam and start to learn about him, but your learning is just starting. Stay tuned for Chapter 13 to be posted next Wednesday. And to my guests, LizPotter17 and Alexa thank you for leaving comments. They make my day and I can't respond to you... And for those who leave me weekly comments - Thank you so much. It really helps my muse to hear that people like my story.