CS Writings Challenge. Theme: Tomorrow.
In a few years … Liam's first birthday will be tomorrow and Emma must help Killian with preparations for their son's party.
Emma wakes at dawn and find the other side of the bed empty. She looks at the clock, it's 5 am, Where is Killian? Emma tries to remember, perhaps Liam awoke in the middle of the night and Killian went to comfort him. It would not be the first time she finds father and son sleeping together in the small bed next to the cradle of their son.
Emma wants to sleep again, but a sound coming from the living room piques her curiosity. "What will be he doing at this hour of the night?" She asks herself puzzled. Emma sighs and gets up from the bed, she has really curious to know what is the latest idea of her strange husband.
Emma walks down the aisle and what she sees when she enters the room leaves her speechless for a moment but then cannot help laughing. Killian is in the middle of the room blowing up balloons. All around is full of balloons of all colors and sizes. Has her husband gone mad? "What are you supposed to be doing, Killian?"
Killian is so engrossed with his work that he doesn't notice the arrival of his wife until he hears her laugh. He directs his gaze to her and, as if it were obvious, answer "I'm blowing up balloons."
Really? It's too early for these games, they would have to be asleep and yet here they are, doing silly questions and giving obvious answers. Emma tries again.
"I can see that, but why are you blowing up balloons at five in the morning?" She notices something at the time, how it is supposed to be tying the damned balloons? He just has a hand! The answer comes alone, when she sees Killian has bought a machine to tie balloons. Emma didn't even know there was such a contraption. How has he got that machine? Storybrooke is not characterized by a wide variety of shops. Emma definitely prefers not to know.
"There is a list, Swan" he makes a gesture toward a paper placed on the table. "Tomorrow is our son's birthday and there is much work to do to organize the first birthday party of Liam."
Emma comes over to look at the list. She is not surprised to find that her husband has organized to the last detail. He has not stop talking about the birthday party of their son for a month, according Killian, this event has to be unique, it will be the first of many to come.
Killian is aware that Liam will not have memories of it, but he has also remedy for that. Killian has his own camera since before Liam was born. Having overcome his initial fear of that infernal machine (his words) Killian began to take pictures of any moment he considered special.
It all started when they knew that Emma was pregnant. Killian insisted on taking a picture of Emma's belly every month, to see the evolution of her pregnancy. She would not admit it at first, but she was secretly excited. Emma had not live anything like that in her previous pregnancy and now Killian, with a simple gesture, had managed to make it memorable.
Emma realizes that her mind has been wandering. She needs a coffee, or she won't be able to read correctly the damn list. Emma goes to the kitchen and notices there are a few bags on the counter. She recalled that the night before (actually just a few hours ago) she came so tired of the station as she went straight to bed, so Emma had not seen the bags so far. She looks inside the bags to know what they contain. Emma's mind is slow to react, she is still a bit sluggish with sleep, but when she finally reacts, she goes immediately to Killian.
"Killian, no way we will prepare the birthday cake."
Killian is still busy with balloons. Emma can't help thinking that they are in a sitcom or similar, home is full of balloons, her pirate husband is surrounded by them in the middle of the room, he not even bothered to put his hook and is now thinking of cooking a cake, they only use the oven to make pizzas!
Killian responds serenely, how may he always have so much confidence in getting to do what he is proposed?" Love, it cannot be too hard. Look, in this book that Belle got me it's indicated how to do it step by step." Killian shows the book lying on the table How to organize the best birthday party for your child.
This can not be happening ... Emma rolls her eyes and thinks she should talk to Belle about the readings that she suggests to her husband.
"Come on, Swan, we have fought against monsters and wicked witches, even yourself were The Dark One for a while, don't tell me you're afraid of a simple birthday cake." Killian is enjoying with the whole situation, he shows a sly look, she knows that he is challenging her…
"I hate you" She snorts.
"No, you don't ... It'll be fun, I promise. We will do this as we always do, together." Killian approaches her and gives Emma a soft kiss on her cheek, The sparkle in his eyes shows that Killian is so rousing that Emma doesn't want to disappoint him.
Emma sighs, she is conscious of Killian's victory "Okay ... let's do this, but you'll clean up the mess of the kitchen... and now, where do we start?"
"That's my girl!" Killian smiles proudly.
They spend the next hours organizing all the preparations, they wrap gifts, prepare the decorations for the party , talk to the guests, and of course, they bake the birthday cake for Liam. At the end of the day the kitchen looks like a battlefield, Killian has rests of flour in his hair and Emma's clothing is covered with gobs of buttercream.
Liam is playing on the floor and he shouts of satisfaction from seeing their parents covered in spots. "Da! Ma!" He gets up and walks towards them with faltering steps. Liam learned to walk a few days ago and he is still very unstable, but gets to his destination. Killian clasps him as the child doesn't stop screaming with joy. Emma feels a strong beat in her heart when she notices the gladness radiating from his two kids. If Henry was here, with them, the happiness would be complete.
Just in that moment Henry comes home. He stands for a moment at the kitchen entrance to watch the spectacle in front of him. Three pairs of eyes look at him, three people that are covered in something like flour. When he finally reacts first thing he does is to take a picture with his mobile. This image must be to remember, Henry may need to use it at some point to get something... Emma and Killian look at each other and burst out laughing, laughter is contagious and soon all of them are cackling unable to stop.
"What is supposed to have happened here?" Henry finally calms down and can articulate words.
"Look, your mother and I have prepared a birthday cake for the tomorrow's party" Killian is certainly proud of the result and, indeed, the cake is more than acceptable to be the first one that they cook in their life.
Henry decides to help, they clean the mess in the kitchen and complete the final details for the event. They spend an enjoyable time together, until Henry must withdraw to do some homework for school.
Later that day, when the kids are already asleep, Emma and Killian review the list of preparations. Killian's enthusiasm has been contagious and Emma is now equally excited at the first birthday of their son.
"We've got Killian, we have everything ready for tomorrow!" Emma displays a smile of satisfaction on her face.
"I don't know why are you surprised, Swan, we have always been a good team, you and me ...together"
Both are silent for a few seconds. Emma loves these little moments of tranquility, where words are not necessary. Killian finally breaks the silence.
"Tomorrow ... tomorrow will be an important day. I know Liam is still not fully aware of his surroundings, I intend to make all his birthdays are special. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I'm afraid to open my eyes, It scares me to think that everything I have lived with you until now may have been a dream that will end sooner or later. So I want to treasure every little moment of our life together, to make sure all of this is real."
"Killian ..." Emma hugs him. She is thrilled by the words of her husband, because that's exactly how she feels. She senses that the four of them are inside a bubble of happiness that can sometime break. But definitely nothing bad will happen today or tomorrow. She is sure of that.
Tomorrow will be a great day for everyone.