Chapter 6:
Sunday night, Audrey lay in bed. She was nervous for the opening of the library tomorrow. She knew everyone was going to come and she didn't want to mess anything up. She tried to calm down and think happy thoughts but her mind wouldn't shut off. What if there are too many people? What if Belle comes late? What if Rumplestilskin comes? Finally she sat up and tried to read more of her book. If she couldn't sleep, she mine as well read; finally around midnight she fall asleep reading.
At nine in the morning her alarm woke her up. She quickly showered and put on a black skirt that went a few inches above her knees and a white camisole. Over that she had a black blazer and ankle high black boots. She put on a little make up, just enough to cover her blemishes and to pop out her eyes a bit. She curled her brown hair a bit at the ends and when she finally felt satisfied with how she looked she locked up her apartment and went downstairs. The big clock on the wall read 9:45 AM and the library opened at ten. Belle told her yesterday that she would be here at 10:30. She sat down at the main desk and looked through the paperwork to make sure she had everything ready for the upcoming day. When it turned ten, she got up and unlocked the door and switched the sign to open. Within five minutes the place had about half a dozen citizens in the aisles.
She checked everyone out and had fun learning what everyone liked to read. When the bell rang next Emma, Henry, Neal, and Killian came in.
"Hi Audrey; do you have any of the Percy Jackson series?" asked Henry as they approached the front desk.
She smiled at him. "Sure, they are in the young adult section. That's upstairs and to the left and they're alphabetized."
"Thank you." His small family went upstairs and Hook stayed down.
"I brought you flowers, to say congratulations on opening your library." He gave her a small bouquet of pink roses.
She blushed, "Well, I didn't do it by myself. Belle opened the library too. But thank you." Just then Belle and Mr. Gold walked through the doors and Audrey felt herself tense up. They walked through the aisles and Audrey assumed she was helping them pick out books.
"Are you okay?" asked Killian, concerned.
"I'll be fine. I'm going to go put these in a vase. I'll be right back." She went upstairs to her apartment and put the flowers in a pale blue vase. She loved them.
When she got downstairs Henry had found his books and was waiting for her.
"Did you find everything you need?" she asked politely.
"Yes we did; this library is loaded with books and movies Audrey. You and Belle really outdid yourselves." Emma replied.
"Thank you; we tried. Okay, these books are due November 30. Thanks for coming." Killian kissed her cheek and they left the building. The rest of the day was packed and she didn't even have time to take a lunch break. Rumplestilskin left the library around noon to open his shop and she felt better once he left. When they officially closed the library at five, she breathed a sigh of relief. One day done, and it was a success. Belle stayed back for a little while before she went home and then Audrey was alone.
After cleaning up a little bit she decided to go visit Killian before it got too late. She put on her black pea coat and walked out the door. She knocked on his apartment door and he looked happy that she came.
"Audrey, what are you doing here?" he asked surprised.
"I thought since I couldn't visit you at lunch today, I would come and visit after we closed." She explained.
"Why don't you come in? Did you have dinner yet?" he asked as she walked in and took off her coat.
"No, I was going to get something at Granny's before I left."
"Nonsense; I was going to order a pizza. Did you want to share?"
"I don't want to take your food-"
"Nope, that wasn't an option, love. Are you hungry? And do you want pizza?"
She smiled at him, "Yes." He ordered a large pepperoni pizza and they sat on the couch and waited. They talked about work and each other for a bit until the pizza arrived. Killian thought they would try The Office on Netflix. They laughed for a while.
"I should get going. I have to be at the library in the morning. Thank you for letting me steal some of your pizza." She put on her coat and he kissed her cheek again.
"Good night, love. Do you want me to walk you home?"
"Oh, you don't have to do that." He just shook his head and grabbed his coat as well. They walked the streets of Storybrooke until they reached the library.
"Next time it'll be my apartment."
"Of course, love. Have a good night."
"You too, Killian; be safe."
