Killian is confused. His future mother-in-law said that something is going on but he shouldn't worry about it at the moment. He asked Emma if there was anything going on and she assured him that she doesn't want to fight for what's rightfully theirs. Killian hopes it doesn't come to that either, especially after the hard time Charming gave them.
Whatever's bothering Emma, it bothers him too and he wishes that she would just come out and tell him so maybe they could work through it together. That is what you're supposed to do in a relationship, work through problems. The former pirate sighs, walking down the hallway back to his room he doesn't even notice someone trailing him.
"Hey,"
He turns around and ducks, expecting an attack but quickly recovers, realizing it's only Charming. "There are very confusing women in this family," he observes and Charming looks at him oddly. "I mean, I know there's something bothering Emma and your wife – Snow knows about it and I don't and I feel like someone should let me in on whatever the big secret is because I hate being in the dark,"
Charming laughs. "If Snow is keeping a secret with Emma, she's probably doing it on Emma's behalf," he says, "but I wouldn't worry about it, whatever it is,"
"Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to keep secrets from those you love. I should know that lesson," Killian muses.
"Keeping secrets and lying are two different things, Killian," Charming assures him, "Not that I would encourage both because I don't but if Emma and Snow are hiding something, I wouldn't consider it malicious. They could be planning a surprise for you,"
"Maybe," he reasons, "I love Emma so much; I just want to make her happy and she makes me happy,"
"Emma's a very special woman," Charming agrees, "She's very adventurous, outspoken..."
"Stubborn," he says, "I learned that one the hard way when she was aboard my ship – that and she can't swim,"
Charming smiles. "The best part about falling in love is discovering the little things about your object of affection," he says, "Some of them good, some of them bad but you accept your love for everything that she is and then, still discovering new things that make you love her even more,"
Killian smiles at him. "I think I heard a little bit about your love story when I was a wee lad growing up," he recalls, "Something about Snow stealing your family jewels and she was a fugitive on the run from the - the woman who shall not be named,"
"There was more to the story than fighting Snow's evil stepmother, Killian," Charming adds, "There was also the problem of my adopted father, King George. He was a horrible, cold man; he threatened to kill my mother if I didn't marry Midas' daughter and even after I reunited Abigail with her True Love, George still wanted my head and to destroy my True Love,"
Killian doesn't want to say anything but he sees the parallels right away, though he doubts Charming would have gone as far as kill him.
"Those were very good reflexes when I came upon you," he observes. "I guess you would have to, being a former pirate,"
"Captain," Killian corrects, "I was Captain,"
"But you gave it up," he says, "That couldn't have been an easy decision to make,"
He shrugs. "You're too right Charming," Killian muses, "It wasn't. I still feel naked without my ship – the Jolly Roger, she's a special lady too but I left her in good hands and I know Starkey will take good care of her in my absence,"
"But I don't regret choosing a life with Emma," he adds, "She's my ocean, my stars and night. I love her,"
"You already said that," Charming teases, grinning, "but I believe you, Killian,"
Killian looks at him thoughtfully.
"Look, I know I gave you a hard time, coming to terms with your relationship but it was because, as you said, I wanted to make sure she was in good hands," Charming reasons, "You won't understand this until you're a father yourself one day, hopefully years from now but from the moment you hold your child in your arms and play with her little fingers, you'll always want to protect her from everything and everyone, including future suitors,"
"I understand," he says and Charming looks at him skeptically. "When I was Captain, it was my duty to not only protect my ship but my crew as well,"
"Your consider your crew as family," Charming observes, "but your crew is a different type of family, Killian. I doubt you love them the same way you love Emma,"
"No, definitely not the same way," he agrees, "but I would lay my life down for my closest crew mates and I would do the same for Emma,"
I did, he remembers.
Charming smiles at him. "You may not be the man I envisioned ending up with my Emma, Killian but it's clear
to me that your love is true,"
"Thank you Charming,"
Emma's still restless, shoving the sheets away from her breast as her consciousness takes over again and she's back in that hazy reality. It's the same vision she had before with her begging Killian to take Clare to the wardrobe.
She sees a man who looks like Killian but he's not him. He's dressed all in black with a white collar and his blue eyes are sad, lonely and Emma wants to see him smile because his blue eyes sparkle when he smiles but there's nothing she can do to make him happy.
The vision shifts to a dark place, purple smoke fills the room with glittering dust and an evil laugh. The world's spinning out of control and Emma's there, holding onto Killian for dear life. He turns her body towards him and smiles sourly before kissing her, their last kiss before the smoke envelops them both, taking them to a far off place where there's no happy endings.
To hell with this, Emma cries, opening her eyes abruptly and throwing the blanket aside. If there's something dark coming and she knows about it, she can do something about it. Telling her mother about Clare was the right thing to do but Emma knows that she can do more.
As the royal wood carver, Pinocchio has a shop in the castle. He basically lives in the shop, often falling asleep there after a long day's work, never making it to his room but he has a nice comfy chair that'll do.
When she comes into the shop, he has different projects scattered about and Pinocchio's standing over his work bench, putting the finishing touches on a Cuckoo Clock. He spots Emma as she nears him but doesn't stop working.
She clears her throat and he looks up at her.
"Princess Emma," he greets, "To what do I owe this pleasure of your visit?"
"I need to ask you something," she says, "This is a hypothetical question but how long would it take to make a wardrobe?"
He raises a curious eyebrow. "Is this for you or your fiancé?" he questions.
Emma shrugs. "It's a hypothetical question," she corrects, "How long would it take, Pinocchio?"
He sighs. "Well, depending on the type of wood, the dimensions of course and how detailed you want it to be, by my rough estimate – I would say a month or two. Do you want me to make you one as a wedding present to your fiancé, the pirate?"
"No need to be a smart ass, Pinocchio," she retorts, "It was only a hypothetical question and for your information, he's not a pirate anymore. He gave that up for me because he loves me,"
"I can't imagine that your father would be happy about that pairing but a pirate Emma and not just any pirate, the same pirate who kidnapped you?" Pinocchio continues, "How can you love a man who stole you away?"
"Killian admitted his guilt and he's sorry for lying to me but it's in the past now," Emma reaffirms, suddenly scowling, "and I don't need to defend my love for him to you, Pinocchio,"
He shrugs, going back to his work. "There's no need to get defensive but when I heard that you were officially engaged to a pirate, it made me worry..You and I have been friends for a long time Emma and I always thought..."
"Thought what?"
He shakes his head. "Never mind," he whispers, looking away from her.
Emma shifts uneasily and starts to leave. Pinocchio calls after her and she turns around.
"Congratulations on your engagement Emma," he says, forcing a smile.
"Thank you," she says and leaves him.
Destiny is not inevitable, Emma repeats. Destiny can be changed. There are parts of her destiny that she doesn't want to happen – like the bad stuff but the good stuff – giving birth to her Clare and becoming a parent along with Killian; Emma wants that more than anything.
There's a lot of time before the wedding and Emma is determined to set everything right.
She starts heading back towards her room and then turns around, finding the person she wanted to see: her mother.
"Emma," Snow starts worriedly.
"I had another vision," Emma cries and Snow ushers inside the room near them and closes the door. Emma helps her over to the bed. "Whatever's coming after Clare, it's big mother and it's powerful,"
"What happened this time? What did you see?"
Emma sighs. "I came from Pinocchio's shop and asked him how long it would take to make a wardrobe because in my first vision, I begged Killian to take Clare to a wardrobe to keep her safe," she says, "I know I have these visions for a reason and I know what that reason is now, so I can change what will happen; because destiny is not inevitable. Destiny can be changed and we can change it, I can change it,"
Snow smiles at her thoughtfully, shocked by her sudden newfound strength and confidence. "I'm proud of you Emma for believing we can change things but I advise you to be careful; if you change too many things, your whole future could be altered,"
"Like instead of a baby girl I might have a boy instead?"
"Instead of having a child, you may not have one at all," Snow says and gently brushes away a loose hair from
her face, "and as your mother, nothing would make me happier than to see you expecting your own Emma,"
Emma scrunches her nose and stands from the bed, biting her lip. "But I can change some things, like the wedding date. Two and a half months is too long to wait, mother,"
"Emma," Snow starts, "I know you want to have your happy ending but you need to have patience too,"
"That's the problem though; I don't know when this big evil will strike. It could be tomorrow or next week but if I'm pregnant before it happens, at least we will have a chance," Emma begs, "Please mother, don't make me wait until the eve of the spring equinox,"
Snow sighs. "I suppose I could shift the day," she manages and Emma hugs her.
"Destiny is not inevitable," Emma breathes, "I can change it, I can change everything,"
tbc