It's time for the second date!

I enjoyed writing this one! Thank you for all your lovely comments. Getting your feedback helps encourage me to keep writing.


The days passed slowly and Emma found herself thinking about Killian all the time! She'd day dream about his eyes while she made herself coffee in the morning, thinking about his smile as she made dinner, reminiscing about the way his was around Henry as she watched her son play at the park. Night time was the worst; he would usually call her in the late evenings, wanting to talk to her before they went to bed, then she would toss and turn replaying every word he said in her mind, not wanting to forget any of it come morning. It was going to be difficult having a long distance relationship, especially when that relationship was so new but Killian was determined to do whatever it took to make it work and at the moment that meant talking to Emma everyday despite how crazy his schedule was. He needed to assure her that he was serious about them, that he was in this for the long haul! She looked forward to the evenings, anticipating his call each night, her heart doing flip flops every time she saw his picture appear on her screen; he'd sent her a selfie of him and Liam, it was cute and goofy and the only picture she had, so that was what filled her screen each time he called. Their nightly conversations were much like the ones they would have had back in Vancouver by the fire pit; filling each other in on their days, talking about the kids, and discussing family and friends, Though while it was comfortable and familiar it was also new, Emma was reminded of this each time Killian said something like, "I miss you", or "I can't wait to see you again", he'd slip compliments in effortlessly and each time Emma would be caught off guard and find herself blushing. He would call her beautiful, mention how the memory of her kisses haunt him at night, tell her how she is the last thing he thinks of at night and the first person he thinks of each morning, and each time she would go weak at the knees. As scary as it was for her to hear those things, it was exactly what she needed to dispel any doubts that she was doing the right thing but giving Killian a chance.

It was during one of those days Emma was enjoying a quiet moment while Henry was at David and Mary Margaret's and Kathryn was taking a nap when her phone buzzed, she looked down and smiled at Killian's name flashing on the screen. She swiped across to read the message;

'Hey love, I've sent you a package, it should arrive today, call me when you get it! Xx'

A smile formed on her lips, he got her something? Her mind started to race wondering what it could be. Luckily she didn't have to wait long to find out as the doorbell rang moments later. She peeked out the window and saw a courier's van and ran downstairs to open the door. The delivery man handed her a large box, she signed for it then shut the door and hurried into the living room to open it. Carefully she cut the tape along the edges then lifted the lid and set it to one side, the box was full of folded cream tissue paper which she gently opened revealing black material, her eyes widened when she lifted out a Zuhair Murad gown. It was the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen, a floor length, one shouldered dress with lace cut out decal on the waist. She held it against herself and twirled around, she couldn't wait to try it on. A black box and card sitting at the bottom of the package caught her attention, she opened the small black box to find a pair of pear drop diamond earrings, and Emma gasped! The dress and earrings together probably cost more than her whole wardrobe! She opened the card and read;

Emma,
Thank you for agreeing to be my date.
Killian xx

Emma was overwhelmed by his generosity. It was completely unexpected and, honestly, she wasn't sure how to react. It was beautiful, all of it was beautiful, but it seemed too much! Should she just accept it or should she be offended that he thought she needed the charity. Emma was conflicted so she did the only thing she could think of, she picked up her phone and called Mary Margaret;

"Hey Emma!" her friend's cheery voice sang down the phone.

"Hey! Um…I need to ask you something…"

"Sure! What's up?"

"Should I be angry that Killian just had a dress and jewellery sent to my house for me to wear to the IFTA's?"

"Wait, he did what?"

"He text me this morning to say he'd sent me something and to call him when I got it…well it just arrived and it's a designer gown and diamond earrings!"

"Emma, that's amazing!"

"Is it? You…don't think it's a bit much?"

"Emma…I think he can afford it…"

"Yeah but I couldn't! This is a 2nd date…it seems a bit...excessive…"

Mary Margaret sighed, "If this was any other guy, I'd tell you to run for the hills, but Em, this is Killian! It may be your second official date but you know him well and he's never treated you like a charity case before, you know he would never think that of you! Honestly, he is probably nervous and just wants you to feel like a princess on your date, he'll know that you will be nervous too being around all those famous people and having cameras and reporters there, I'm sure he's just trying to do whatever he can to make what could be a very intense date for a relationship in its early as comfortable as possible for you."

Emma thought for a moment. "I suppose you're right"

"Do you at least like the dress?"

"It's breath-taking!"

"There is something very romantic about it all!" Mary Margaret's voice became wistful.

"Really?"

"Yes! Are you kidding me? Think about it; Killian had to go look at dresses and he chose that one, he wanted to see you in that, he thought about how you would look in it and liked that mental image enough for go buy it for you."

"Well no pressure then! I hope I can live up to his expectation!"

"You should call him Emma, he knows you too well and he is probably nervous about how you'll react to such a grand gesture, I bet he's a wreck right now!" she giggled.

Emma took a deep breath, "You're right, I'll give him a call, thanks Mary Margaret!"

She ended the call and looked back at the dress, it really was stunning, and her style too! How did he know her so well? She grabbed it and ran up to her room; she threw off her clothes and slipped into the dress, taking a look in her floor length mirror. It fit her like a glove, clinging to all the right places, she turned around and looked back over her shoulder, and god her ass looked amazing! "Well I'll be damned, the boy's done well!" she thought to herself. She couldn't stop running her hands along her body, the material felt so good. A small ball of excitement formed in the pit of her stomach as she wondered if Killian would find it just as hard to keep his hands off her on the night. She smiled, chewing her bottom lip, then reached for her phone to call him.

"Hello love, did it arrive?" he sounded nervous.

"Killian you shouldn't have! This is too beautiful for me!"

"That's not possible Emma! So...you're not mad?"

"No…not mad, just a bit overwhelmed. I really wasn't expecting it…"

"If you want to wear something else, please don't feel like you have to wear it just because I got it for you! I won't be offended if you don't like it…"

She could hear the uncertainty in his voice, there was something very endearing about how anxious he sounded.

"I love it! In fact I'm wearing it right now, looking in the mirror. It's perfect!"

He breathed a sigh of relief. "I can't want to see you in it!"

Emma blushed "I hope I live up to your expectations! Does this make you my Fairy Godmother?"

"You don't need me to make you a princess, love!"

Emma smiled shyly, she didn't know what to say to that.

"God Emma, I miss you!"

"Not long now!"

"Can't wait! Look, love, I better go, I have an interview, I'm so glad you like it! I'm counting the days!"

"I can't wait to see you either! Bye Killian"

Emma ended the call and held her phone to her heart as she looked at her gifts.


Nervous energy flowed through her as the plane landed. It'd only been two weeks since she last saw Killian and despite the fact he called her every night she couldn't wait to see him, that paired with the nervousness she felt about tonight's event made her feel almost nauseous!

The sight of him waiting for her at the gate did nothing to calm her nerves. How did he make jeans, hoodie, and a baseball cap look so damn sexy? His face lit up when he saw her, melting her heart. With a huge smile on his face, he threw his arms around her and all her nerves disappeared instantly, all she could feel was the warmth and comfort of his embrace. He kissed her head and reluctantly they pulled apart.

"I missed you Swan!" He intertwined his fingers with hers.

"I'm here now!" Emma nudged his shoulder with hers as they walked out the airport.

After a 40 minute drive they pulled up at his house, it was a large pale blue country home with a wraparound porch; it was charming but not at all what she expected. He grabbed her case and carried it inside, and shutting the door behind them he said, "Welcome, love!"

He set the case down and reached out for her, she smiled and snaked her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. He kissed her head again, then pulled back and gently lifted his hand to her face, stroking her cheek.

"Make yourself at home; your hair and makeup will be here in about an hour. We have to leave at 5pm. I'm afraid I have a short radio interview in 30mins I need to get ready for, they're just going to do it over the phone."

"Where should I get ready?" Emma asked looking around his house at the surprisingly modern interior. Above the fireplace was a large print from Killian and Milah's wedding.

Killian followed her gaze, and looked back at her nervously. She didn't seem upset by it, just curious. He put his hand on her arm to get her attention, "upstairs, first door on the left is the guest room, you can use it to get ready. I'll just be an hour." He kissed her on the forehead, gave her a wink, and then went into the study.

Emma walked into the kitchen and started looking in the cupboards until she found all the ingredients she needed to make hot chocolate, she wondered if it was stuff he would usually stock his cupboards with or if he had bought it specially knowing her addiction to the drink. She poured two mugs, taking one and tiptoed into the study where Killian was talking on the phone.
"...I just feel really honoured to be in such good company with actors whose work I've admired for years..." Emma carefully placed the mug next to him, he looked up and flashed her a smile and a wink, mouthing 'thank you'. She tiptoed back out again and carried her bag upstairs.


It was 4:30pm, Emma's hair and makeup were finished, and she slipped into her dress, put on her earrings and took a look in the full length mirror. She hardly recognised herself; she looked like a movie star and felt like a princess. The butterflies returned to her stomach as she walked out to the top of the stairs, the house was full of activity, Killian was in the thick of it, and then he turned round and saw her, he was wearing a black Armani suit, Emma couldn't help but smile, he looked so handsome.

He stood there looking in awe at her as she walked downstairs. The heat of his stare made her blush. He walked up to her, kissed her hand and said "you look..."

"...I know!" She smiled


Lights flashed all around them as the car pulled up at the carpet, the atmosphere was buzzing, fans screamed when Killian stepped out of the car. He smiled and waved to them, then ran around to open Emma's door for her. He took her hand and led her towards the red carpet. Emma had decided to avoid the press line but did pose for one picture with Killian before she made her way inside and let him deal with the press and meet with the fans.

As the ceremony started Emma took her seat proudly beside Killian. When it came time for his category she squeezed his hand.

"And the winner for Best Actor in a television drama is…"