Heyyyyyyyy guys! So. I realize it's been a minute and I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my black little heart. Things got... crazy around the holidays in my life. To say the least. I lost my dog, finally got diagnosed with a debilitating illness after a year plus of suffering without treatment, amongst other things. But enough about me and my sob story lol. This chapter is the first part of the lake! We get new character intros, some tension, some saucy fun and shirtless, wet Killian Jones cuz I have no self control lol (forgive me yet? :P)
Thank you thank you as always to my wonderful beta @superchocovian who was so amazing and patient and helpful through this whole thing. She truly is the best. And thank you to my wondertwin @artistic-writer who not only served as a second beta on this story but made all the beautiful art that goes along with it! She's a fabulous person and needs a little extra love right now so go drown her in it ;) Last but not least, thank you all who read and follow this story! I'm so thrilled that y'all like it and that you guys stick with me even when I have my little issues. You guys are truly the best and your feedback gives me life!
Away we go with chapter 7!
Chapter 7
The cabin that David had inherited from his father was about as spacious as a building could get and still be called a cabin. With six bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a private dock on the lake, the vacation home was nicer than any actual home Emma had ever lived in. She loved her large apartment, but it looked like a shack next to this. David's father was a CEO for an agricultural company, wildly successful, and they had money beyond anything that could be spent in one lifetime. Oddly enough, his father never got the chance to find out how much he could spend, because tragedy didn't care how rich someone was.
David and his twin brother James were the only two children Ruth Nolan-Spencer and George Spencer had. The boys were not George's by birth, their real father having died in a car accident when the boys were only seven. He met their mother when his company purchased their family ranch. George and Ruth married, a wedding of convenience, and he adopted both boys legally. James was his prodigy, and George was more than happy to take him under his wing, teaching him the ways of business from a young age. David was content to stay on the sheep ranch, running things there with his mother. He liked being connected to the outdoors. James was only interested in making it rich, impressed by his father's cars and material things. He fell in with a bad crowd when the boys were fourteen, and by the time they were fifteen, James began using drugs.
George found out and was deeply ashamed of the boy, and tried to replace him with David for awhile, forcing him to come to the office with him and sit in on board meetings, trying to shape him into what he wanted for James at first. This drove David's twin deeper into his bad habits and company, until he became nearly unmanageable. When he started skipping school so often that the police became involved, George had no choice but to pay attention. He and Ruth decided a rehab in New Hampshire would be the troubled teen's best bet at recovery, and it was out of the limelight for George's business as well. They didn't plan on telling James their destination until they arrived.
James figured it out anyways when they were halfway there and flew into a fit of rage. He lashed out physically at his father, who happened to be driving, causing him to crash the car down a steep ravine. David was the only survivor. Ruth had become a shut in not long after marrying George, losing her friends and ties to the community; George made more enemies than friends in his life. As a result, there was no one to take David in once they were gone. And so he went into foster care at the age of sixteen.
He was assigned to Emma's foster home at the time. She was fifteen when they met. David was bullied mercilessly by the other children in the homes and even at school, for being the only rich kid in foster care. It didn't matter that he couldn't touch any of his inherited empire until he was eighteen. Emma often stood up for him, being a seasoned veteran of the system, and David would have her back when she was treated the same. They became close, forming a sibling bond with one another that stood the test of time, even all these years later. Emma didn't know what she would do without him.
When he turned eighteen and his assets became fully available to him, David bought back his family farm and sold off his father's company, keeping only the old ranch and the cabin for himself, a reminder of happier childhood memories. He was a veterinarian now, married to his college sweetheart, running the ranch and his practice from his home, along with a small dog rescue. Emma admired his quiet ambition. David had grown into a good man, fiercely protective of those he loved because of the losses he'd experienced so young. She could only hope this meeting with Killian would go well.
Somewhere along the drive, Emma's adrenaline fueled morning caught up with her. She hadn't even realized she'd fallen asleep until she woke up sandwiched between Killian and Henry, both of whom appeared to be asleep themselves. Killian's head was pressed to the top of hers as she leaned back into his chest, his breathing deep and steady. Henry was flopped over onto Emma's other side and she could feel the corner of his forgotten tablet digging into her thigh. She looked to the front and Elsa and Liam appeared to be in quiet conversation until Elsa caught Emma's eye in the mirror.
"Well hello, sleepyhead," Elsa teased, making a turn down a road Emma recognized as the main street to the cabin. "I was just about to wake you. We're about there." Emma stretched dramatically in an attempt to slide out of Killian's embrace, but that only served to wake the man, his arms tightening around her automatically.
"Where are we?" Killian rasped, his sleep laden voice at least a full octave lower and so sexy it should have been illegal. Emma clenched her thighs together involuntarily.
"About five minutes out," Emma said, gently disentangling herself from Killian's arms to sit up and wake Henry. Killian sat straight himself, stretching his frame as much as possible in the confines of the backseat. She maneuvered her still sleeping child into a sitting position and leaned down to murmur in her son's ear that they had almost arrived. The boy woke up and blinked the sleep from his eyes, immediately perking up at their surroundings. The lake cabin came into view and a soft 'whoa' came from the passenger seat, making Emma smirk smugly.
As they pulled into the driveway, Emma immediately recognized David and Mary Margaret's Jeep Cherokee and Victor Whale's Mercedes, signifying Ruby's presence as well. Elsa parked and they all piled out to be greeted immediately by the Nolan family. As soon as Emma saw David, she couldn't contain herself. Her face nearly split in half with her smile, his own matching hers, and she ran at him, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. He laughed warm and deep in his chest, squeezing her tightly around the waist to support her weight and swung her to and fro before setting her on her feet and cradling the back of her head to his chest.
"Missed you, too, Emma," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She pulled back and beamed at him, his cornflower blue eyes shining with affection. He looked up over her shoulder back to the car where Mary Margaret and Leo had gone to greet Elsa and his expression hardened immediately at the sight of the Brothers Jones.
"David, you promised to be nice," she said, reminding him of a conversation they'd had over the phone a few days ago. David grunted in response, clearly not committing to anything. Emma decided that it would probably be best to head him off at the pass and released him, fixing him with a stony glare that told him to behave himself. She walked back to Killian's side and wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him away from where Mary Margaret was greeting Elsa and Henry.
"Brace yourself," she said through a nervous smile, seeing David head right in their direction, a stem look covering his handsome features. Killian swallowed hard, his muscles tensing beneath Emma's arm.
"Hello, you must be David, Emma's said a lot about you," Killian stepped away from Emma's hold and extended a ringed hand to Emma's brother. David looked down at Killian's hand for a moment and then grasped it tightly. From the way Killian hid a slight wince, it appeared David may have been trying to crush it with his strong rancher's grip.
"Funny, because Emma hasn't really mentioned you at all," he said, distaste in his tone already.
"David," Mary Margaret chastised as she came upon the scene. David didn't look away from Killian, but he did release his hand with a tight smile. "So this is Killian! It's so nice to meet you! I'm Mary Margaret and this is Leo," she said, affectionately stroking her son's hair.
"It's nice to meet you, too," Killian replied. He began to reach out for a handshake when Mary Margaret shook her head and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a hug. David glowered at him as he tentatively returned it, freeing himself from her grip as soon as he was able.
"I should have warned you she's a hugger," Emma said on an uncomfortable laugh as David continued to stoically watch Killian's every move. Unconsciously, Emma reached up to grip Killian's shirt sleeve where it was folded at his elbow.
"Mama, I'm going to play with Henry!" the small boy told his mother, and Mary Margaret gave her approval as the boy began to run off. Emma motioned to Liam and Elsa who were unloading the bags from the back of the car for them to come over and hopefully get some of David's attention off of Killian. Elsa nodded after a moment, shutting the rear door to the SUV and leaving the bags as they lay for the time being, Liam hot on her heels. As expected, David's eyes snapped to the newcomers and his posture relaxed slightly, making Emma's grip on Killian's shirt loosen as well. Killian felt it, and looked at her with a fond smile out of the corner of his eye.
"Hey, guys," Emma said to them both as they approached. "David, Mary Margaret, this is Liam, Killian's brother." David sized up the taller man and reached for his hand first, shaking it firmly.
"David, a pleasure, Mary Margaret," Liam greeted them both, shifting his hand to Mary Margaret to shake only for her to brush it aside and wrap him up in a hug as well.
"We are so glad you're both here!" she gushed as she released him, stepping back into her husband's side. David laid his arm comfortably over his wife's shoulders and went back to glaring at Killian. "We were just about to get the barbecue out and-"
"Well it's about time you bitches arrived!" Ruby's voice rang out over the open air, cutting Mary Margaret off.
"Ruby, there are kids!" Mary Margaret scolded.
"Pssh, they're way over there." She gestured to a tree in the nearby yard that the two boys were running around.
"Got into the wine coolers already, I see," Emma teased, walking towards her friend.
"Shut up, I'm on vacation," she shot back with a grin, looping an arm around Emma's neck and walking with her the short distance back to the others.
"Where's Victor?" Elsa asked, looking back towards the house.
"He, uh, he had to use the bathroom," Ruby said, stifling a giggle. Emma looked at her and that's when she saw the bright red hickey blooming just under her jawline.
"You're disgusting," Emma said on a laugh and Ruby pulled her arm back to flick her hair over her shoulder, exposing the bruise more.
"Jealous?" She wiggled her eyebrows at Emma, who responded with a now patented eye roll. Ruby's eyes then found Killian. "What am I saying, of course you're not. How are you, hunka hunka burnin' love?" she teased Killian, drawing a crimson fingernail down his chest.
"Ah, Ruby. Always a delight," Killian replied with teasing sarcasm, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels.
She winked at him and looked at Liam who had been standing awkwardly nearby, still close behind Elsa, but maintaining a respectable distance between them. "And who's burly and broody over here?"
"Liam Jones," the man in question introduced himself, "Killian's big brother."
Emma could hear Killian quietly harrumph at the addition of the adjective, but he let it go. She giggled, though, and he knew she had caught him, the tips of his ears pinkening in embarrassment. He put his arm around her shoulders, looking down at her with a slight smirk, and tugged her into his side.
"Well hot damn. It's a party now." She grinned and shook his proffered hand. "Please tell me there's skinny dipping on the menu." Liam's eyes widened at her blatant flirtation.
"Don't even think about it," David warned in a flat tone and Mary Margaret shook her head. Ruby pouted at him exaggeratedly as she released Liam's hand. She looked like she might say something else but then her eyes lit up as they settled on the cabin behind them.
"Hey, gang," Victor Whale said as he approached. His bleach blonde hair stood out in the sunlight, only broken up by the black and green RayBans on his head. The bright pink shirt and Hawaiian flower printed board shorts outfit he wore looked like he was ready to hit a California beach somewhere instead of spending a family weekend at the lake.
"Hey, babe," Ruby grinned and threw her arms around his neck, giving him a lingering kiss.
"Children," Mary Margaret hissed. Ruby and Victor both laughed as they broke apart, Ruby rubbing away the cherry red lipstick from her boyfriend's lips with her thumb.
"Victor, this is Killian and Liam Jones. Killian is Emma's boyfriend," Ruby introduced the three men and Emma's stomach did a strange flip at the title she'd referenced Killian with. Killian's arm tightened around Emma at the word as well, further unsettling her, and shook Victor's hand with his free one, then Liam doing the same.
"Oh, Elsa, before I forget, I have baby clothes for Anna, too, remind me to have you take them. They're in the trunk," Mary Margaret said suddenly, referring to Elsa's very pregnant sister, who was uncharacteristically missing from this little get together.
"Oh, she'll love that. She really wanted to be here, but so close to her due date, she didn't want to risk it," Elsa said fondly.
"We understand. There's always next year," David replied with a warm smile. His eyes hardened as he looked back to Killian. "I'm going to start up the grill. You guys make yourselves comfortable."
"Take the guys with you," Mary Margaret suggested. "Get some manly bonding time in. Us girls can finish up in the kitchen." Killian's eyes shot down to Emma's, the fear at being left semi alone with her brother written all over his face. Emma gave him a reassuring smile and squeezed his bicep and his gaze warmed before looking back into the icy glare of Emma's brother.
"Aye, that sounds delightful," he confirmed. David looked like he was about to protest when Mary Margaret shot him a sharp look and he swallowed his objections down.
"Just don't let Killian touch the lighter fluid, eh, little brother?" Liam's eyes sparkled as he referenced an obvious inside joke.
"Younger brother, and I was ten," Killian growled, cheeks rapidly reddening. "I didn't know it would start a bloody bonfire." Liam moved closer to his brother and clapped him on the shoulder as the group around them chuckled.
"We will find a nice safe job for you, don't worry," David said, a twinkle beginning to infiltrate his gaze as the men began to break away to the house, diverting to grab the bags from behind Elsa's car, giving Emma hope that this wouldn't be too terrible. David paused for a moment. "Maybe you can be in charge of the buns." Liam barked out an agreeable laugh and Victor gave Ruby several more parting kisses before following them. The shrieks of joy coming from the yard drew Mary Margaret and Emma's attention away briefly, watching Henry and Leo playing what looked like a very involved game of tag. Emma smiled, watching her son have fun with his cousin as the men disappeared into the house.
Like velociraptors in sync, Ruby and Mary Margaret turned in unison with large smiles on their faces, and Emma swallowed thickly. She looked at Elsa who offered her a timid smile that told Emma she was all alone in this. Traitor, Emma's glare said, just wait until they ask about Liam.
"So, you've met Killian now," she said to the two others, ripping off the bandaid.
"Oh, Emma, he's so handsome! And polite!" Mary Margaret gushed immediately, linking her arm through Emma's and walking towards the house.
"And big bro ain't nothing to sneeze at, either," Ruby said with a grin, linking her arm on the other side and pulling Elsa reluctantly closer as well. "Just ask Elsa."
"I didn't- we're not even- I haven't even known him more than a few hours!" Elsa stuttered out, her cheeks a bright rosy pink.
"Who knows, maybe you both just found your happily ever after!" Mary Margaret singsonged, making Emma pale and Elsa blush even more furiously.
"Let's just get through this weekend first," Emma grumbled and charged ahead into the house.
Dinner went off mostly without a hitch. Killian had bonded with Victor and were apparently engaged in some sort of innuendo-off, much to Emma's chagrin and Ruby's utter delight. David didn't look like he wanted to murder Killian every time he touched Emma (which was a lot), so that was progress, she supposed. Liam was sat next to Killian, serving as a distraction to David, who seemed to have taken a liking to the man, but Emma still caught the little glances that he and Elsa exchanged throughout the meal. Henry and Leo were thick as thieves, off in their own little world ever since they had been reunited.
Killian's left hand seemed to have taken up residence on Emma's knee, occasionally straying to brush a lock of hair out of her face or rub her back. Emma hardly noticed it as time went on, he did it so often. She didn't tense every time he touched her anymore, but she resolved that she would not instigate or encourage it. Ruby did though, little "awws" escaping her whenever Killian visibly touched her. Victor seemed pleased as well, throwing little winks at her whenever she caught his eye, which wasn't often considering his gaze was glued to Ruby's cleavage the majority of the time. Ruby didn't seem bothered by it. In fact, she appeared to be emboldened by his gaze, leaning forward towards the table or tugging on her shirt so it stayed scandalously low, causing Mary Margaret to glare at her in disapproval at her whenever it happened in between bouts of making sure everyone had enough to eat or drink. She was practically glowing at all of the new love blossoming around her (as far as she knew).
After dinner, they all settled in to watch a movie in the family room, Elsa sitting very pointedly on the opposite end of the room from Liam on the floor, even though he had offered his chair several times. She would shake her head each time, and involve herself with the kids as a distraction. Killian didn't hesitate to tug Emma into his arms and cuddle her into the corner of the couch, playing the part of devoted boyfriend with frightening accuracy. About halfway through the movie, some family comedy that was kid appropriate selected by Mary Margaret, Ruby and Victor decided to take their less than kid appropriate activities to the room they had already selected for themselves. The kids and Mary Margaret were all yawning by the time the movie ended, despite it being only barely 8:30. Emma was feeling the drain of the day herself, even with the nap she took earlier.
Mary Margaret offered to show everyone to the rooms, Leo showing Henry to the room they would be sharing for the duration of the visit himself, and the group followed her to the upstairs area after gathering all of their bags. They left Liam in the office first, the pull out sofa bed already set up and made, then Elsa in the smallest of the guest rooms with the single twin bed in it. It was the one that Emma usually stayed in because she was usually the only single one out of the group, Elsa always bunking with her sister, when Neal would suddenly remember something (or someone, apparently) that he had to do the weekend of their annual lake trip. But Emma wasn't alone this time, as the torrent of butterflies in her stomach as they approached the largest guest room could attest. David's scowl deepened as he seemed to realize the same thing and not so subtly suggested that Killian share a bed with his brother instead. Mary Margaret quickly put the kibosh on that, ushering them both inside and closing the door behind them. Emma turned slowly at the sound of the bags that Killian had insisted on carrying for both of them hitting the floor.
The blue of his eyes was visible from where Emma still stood by the door, even from his position at the foot of the king sized bed. His gaze swept over her from head to toe, a hunger in it that made Emma's nerves short circuit.
"So. One bed." Killian quirked a brow and all the saliva in Emma's mouth evaporated. Like she wasn't already very aware that there was only one bed in that room.
"I'm just gonna…" she pointed behind her, "bathroom…"
Before he could reply, she darted back out the door and practically slammed it behind her in her haste to escape the room (and the blazing heat between them). She pressed her back against the door for a moment, trying to still her wildly beating heart.
Bathroom. Right.
She started off towards the direction of the upstairs bathroom, feet moving quickly. So quickly that she almost ran smack dab into Liam's broad chest.
"Ah, Emma. Just the lass I wanted to see," Liam said, his tone cool and direct. Emma suppressed a scoff and crossed her arms over her chest.
"What is this, like the protective big brother talk where you see if I'm good enough for Killian?" she retorted with barely concealed irritation.
"No, because I already know you aren't."
Well. She wasn't expecting that. She blinked at him through wide eyes before she felt anger and self doubt curl tight in her belly.
"Excuse me?" she blurted, a thousand words on the tip of her tongue that she couldn't say.
"Aye, you heard me. I'm not sure what kind of game you're playing at here, if you don't think I notice when Killian touches you and you practically jump away from him, or when he speaks to you that you have some sarcastic comment at the ready to rebuff him, but I do. I've been watching you both the whole time," he said, continuing to regard her stoically. Emma felt like she had been slapped.
"He is here meeting my family for the first time. That is a pretty big deal in any relationship, so forgive me if I'm a little nervous. I know you're not used to the way we are with one another just yet, but like he already told you, we kept things quiet because we wanted some time to ourselves. It was best for both of us," she argued, her embarrassment warring with anger. It wasn't like he had said anything that was untrue.
"Best for you both? Or just best for you?" Liam asked, his eyes glittering darkly at her in the dimly lit hallway. "There must be some reason why he kept you a secret."
Emma's mouth fell open, searching for a reply but coming up empty.
"That is enough," an angry voice came from behind them both. Emma and Liam's attention both snapped to the interloper.
"Elsa," Liam breathed, surprised and slightly embarrassed.
"Don't you ever talk to Emma like that again. You have no idea who she is, the things she has been through. She has every reason to want this to remain private. And it is none of your business," she snapped icily, flinging her braid over her shoulder. Emma had rarely seen this kind of coldness from her normally reserved and thoughtful friend and it made guilt and shame wash over her in waves. She was defending Emma, and she should be grateful, but Liam was right. And the last thing she had wanted was to cause a rift between her and the man she was very clearly interested in.
"Elsa, it's fine," she said, wanting to put a stop to this.
"No, you don't just talk to people like that. He should be making the effort to get to know you, just as Killian is doing with us. Not tearing you down behind his brother's back." Elsa's voice was torn between anger and heartache. Emma felt like a horrible person, but even if she wanted to tell Elsa the truth, she couldn't betray Killian to Liam like that.
"Elsa, I'm sorry," Liam began and Elsa shook her head firmly.
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," she said, raising a single brow. Liam sighed heavily and closed his eyes for several heartbeats before turning to face Emma.
"Emma I apologize for the way I've approached things with you. I promise to make a better effort for Killian's sake in the future." His voice was taut, almost as if it pained him to admit he might have been in the wrong, and under different circumstances Emma might have laughed. Especially when he darted his eyes back to Elsa to see if his apology was sufficient. She didn't miss the amused twinkle that flashed through her friend's eye in response before she hardened her glare on him again.
"Thank you, Liam. I think it's best we all go to bed." Emma reached out to touch Elsa's arm and draw her gaze from Liam.
"Oh, I still need the restroom," Elsa said quietly, cheeks pinkening slightly. Emma gave her a sympathetic smile and Liam a nod and turned around to go back to her room. In all the excitement, she'd forgotten why she had gone down there to begin with.
Until she opened the door to the bedroom, that is.
Killian was already in the large bed, very much asleep on the left side. His torso was clad in a white t-shirt and blue pinstripe pajama bottoms that she could see from the one leg poking out of the covers. Under the covers, she could see a carefully placed pillow in the center of the bed, to give them each their space. Emma's heart melted slightly at the gesture, then ached when she thought of the conversation with Liam. She wouldn't tell Killian about it. He had enough on his plate with keeping up the charade with her family this weekend.
She changed quickly into her own pajamas, never exposing more skin than she needed to in case he woke up, and slipped into her side of the bed, falling asleep surprisingly quickly.