Emma still cannot believe that she's been gone a week. That cannot be possible. She left with Killian yesterday evening and couldn't have been asleep for a whole week. Emma holds her head in her hands, sitting on her bed in her old quarters as Red stands in front of her.
"Emma, I know you don't want to believe it, but you have been gone a week," she repeats.
"But how is that even possible?" she cries, "and why is it that you were only able to find me now?"
Killian knocks on the door, clearing his throat and looking to Red. "May I come in?" he ventures and walks in slowly into the cabin, going straight to Emma and kneeling in front of her. "Darling, it is true, we have been gone a week,"
"And you never bothered to wake me?"
He shrugs. "You've been so busy planning for our official wedding, and you really did need the sleep, love," he reasons.
"But," Emma starts, looking to Red, "How come you were only to find me just now?"
Red shrugs. "I don't know," she says, "I know your scent pretty well Emma but after you left, for whatever reason, I lost track of you,"
Emma's brows furrow and she looks at Killian again. "I don't understand any of this," she cries, "Nothing is making any sense. I mean, I was here the whole time – wasn't I?"
"Yes and no," he adds, "You were here on this ship but physically, you were somewhere else. There's a place I often like to go when I need some solitude and this ship takes me there. It's called Neverland and Starkey and I took you there. We only recently came back; that's why Red was able to pick up your scent,"
"So let me get this straight," Emma recaps, "You took me to a different world, outside of this realm, without my knowledge, to a place called Neverland,"
"Yes," he confirms, "The Roger can sail anywhere I desire, anywhere I need her to be and I desired that she should be in Neverland,"
Emma glances at Red and then to her husband. "And time moves faster there than it does here?" she asks.
"Generally yes, because it is timeless," he reasons. "I know I should have told you love...are you angry with me?"
"No," Emma says quickly, standing suddenly "We should be on our way back. How are the preparations going so far?"
Red smiles. "Believe it or not, a lot can be accomplished in a week. Snow and Pinocchio have taken care of
everything. The only thing missing, is you trying on your wedding dress, which I swear does not include a corset. I advocated for that on your behalf,"
Snow and Charming cannot know that Killian took her to another realm but now, Emma's curious about this other realm and if it is far enough that whatever she dreamt will be far beyond its reach. She'll have to talk to Killian about that in private and most likely, tell him what has been bothering her for the past couple of weeks.
That is not a conversation she's looking forward too. How do you tell your husband that they will be expecting a
child in the future, but something bad will come, forcing them apart?
Starkey offers to accompany them to the castle (which Killian and Emma accept). They do however need to get their stories straight before they meet Emma's parents.
Red lost Emma's scent again, which is definitely true this time. Emma didn't know where they were because Killian refused to give her their location but she knows that they sailed farther than the kingdom limits (which is undeniably true). In the event her parents asks where they were, Starkey will say that the place they sailed is so unknown to them that it doesn't even have a name.
The one thing Emma didn't count on is Pinocchio being present in the throne room when they arrive. Emma can lie, she's done it before but when there's a man in the room who knows how to spot lies, it further complicates the situation.
"Emma sweetheart," Charming cries, embracing her, "Are you all right? Kidnapping your own fiancé, Killian?"
"First of all, it was a legal kidnapping; legal in the sense that your wife allowed me to take her away for a bit," he clarifies, "and I brought her back safe and sound,"
Snow tries to hide her laugh but fails miserably, but calmly walks forward. "This really was my fault David," she says, "Emma's been working so hard making sure everything is right for the wedding that she neglected her sleep and I ordered Killian to make sure she got her much needed rest,"
Emma smiles thankfully at her mother. "and I didn't realize that we had been away for so long, otherwise I
would have demanded that we return immediately," she adds.
Charming looks suspiciously between his wife, daughter and the pirates in front of him. "What's your excuse, Captain?" he asks, referring to Starkey.
"He commandeered my ship," Starkey says, "because we do that a lot, comandeering and the like,"
Charming glances at Killian. "You stole your own ship, kidnapped Emma because Snow allowed you too and sailed to someplace," Charming muses, shaking his head, "You two are the most puzzling pirates I have ever met but Emma is safe again, and you didn't elope or anything, so no harm done,"
Emma's cheeks become scarlett red and Pinocchio notices immideatly but doesn't say anything.
"And I lost her scent, because they were so far away in that land with no name," Red adds.
Charming shakes his head and kisses Emma's cheek. "At least you're home again sweetheart," he says, "And your mother has a surprise for you, but for your eyes only,"
"I know," she smiles, "It's my wedding dress,"
"Keep your eyes closed Emma," Snow reminds her, leading her daughter into the room where her wedding dress is stored. Snow lets her sit down on the bed and goes over to a corner, rolling out what sounds like to Emma, a mannequin before telling her it's okay to open her eyes.
As soon as Emma opens her eyes and gasps, staring star-struck at the gown she will wear on her second wedding day. White feathers adorn the latter of the dress, splaying outwards and tiny diamonds decorate the top and the waist.
"It's beautiful," she cries, "I love it,"
"The feather's aren't too much?" Snow asks, "I remember when I married your father, I had a dress similar to this one,"
Emma comes over and touches one of the feathers on the gown. "It's so soft," she muses, "but it's perfect. Thank you mother,"
Snow comes over to the bed and sits beside her, fixing her hair. "You are going to be a beautiful bride Emma," she cries, "and you and Killian will live happily ever after and have everything you ever wanted,"
"Starkey," Killian starts, "before you go, there's something I need to ask you,"
The pirate stops and looks at him curiously. Killian gestures to follow him to a quieter room and he does. "No one can ever know what you did for me and Emma," he reasons, "but I need to ask you one more favor Starkey. You know I grew up an only child, left my home when I was old enough after my mother passed and don't really have blood family to speak of. Before Emma, every man on the Jolly Roger was my family, even you; you're my best mate Starkey and I would be honored if you would stand with me on my wedding day,"
Starkey smiles, bowing. "The honor is mine, Killian," he says, "I've sailed with you for a long time but I've
never seen you so in love before. I always thought if you ever found love, it would have to be with someone to amazing that she would have to sweep you off your feet,"
"Emma is amazing, Starkey and I truly love her...she is...she is my ocean now,"
"I'm happy for you, truly," he commends him.
Charming does not believe their stories, especially since more than one pirate is involved. That's why he called Pinocchio to be present when he heard that Emma had returned. He needed to know the truth and who better to spot a lie than the man who could not lie himself.
"They are hiding something," he observes, "including Red but they're going to easily give it up,"
Charming sighs. "I don't like being kept in the dark," he cries, "but I also don't wish to further upset Emma; not with her wedding date so close now,"
Pinocchio turns to him. "But if you don't approve, then why are you allowing them to marry?"
"Because I don't want to push Emma away. Trust me Pinocchio, the worst thing in the world is when your child turns against you. I want her to be happy and the pirate is her happiness. He's her True Love and she's his. I may never understand why that is but I refuse to stand in the way anymore of my daughter's happiness,"
Pinocchio looks away solomnly.
"I know you've always loved her but you can't force feelings that aren't there; sometimes, the most noble thing you can do for your love is to let her go," Charming advises, "and maybe one day, you will fall in love again,"
The wood carver doesn't say anything and leaves the room.
tbc