Hey guys! So as promised, here is the next chapter (and only a day after previously updating). Anyway, review because you love me?
The days in between Christmas and New Year's Eve were amazing as Emma and Killian settled into a nice routine.
Their days were broken up into different time slots, between hanging out with the entire group, and having alone time.
On their second date, two days after their first, Killian packed a picnic, filled with two grilled cheeses, onion rings, and hot cocoa (with cinnamon of course), and drove the two of them to the Storybrooke lighthouse, where they sat wrapped up in blankets and each other, drinking their hot cocoa, looking out at the stars and the ocean. They talked less than they had on their first date, enjoying the peacefulness of their time together and the calming sound of the waves. Often they would break from conversation and silence in favor of heated kisses.
At the end of the date, Killian asked Emma to be his girlfriend.
She didn't hesitate in agreeing.
His friendship with Graham had gotten somewhat better since then. Now that Emma and Killian were officially an item, Graham had seemed to back off Emma slightly, which made Killian happy. However, Killian felt as though Graham was just waiting for Killian to mess up or return to school and move on from Emma, leaving Graham to come in a sweep up the pieces of Emma's broken heart.
Not gonna happen, Humbert.
Whenever he caught Graham gazing longingly at Emma or trying to charm her, he would simply throw his arm around her waist and pull her into a passionate kiss, reminding Graham just whom she had said yes to.
But it wasn't all dramatic stare downs with Graham and romantic evenings with Emma. Killian had misplaced his phone a while ago, and no one knew where it had been, so he had to go to the store and get a new one with Ruth. The gang still had some homework to finish up, since their exams weren't until after the break, and there was a lot of lounging around and doing nothing that occurred.
Usually the group met at Granny's or the Nolan residence for at least one meal, trying to soak up as much time with Killian as they could before he returned to school on the third of January, though they wouldn't admit that.
In fact, no one so much as mentioned that Killian was leaving in just a few short days, almost as though if they didn't acknowledge it, it wasn't real. No one wanted to ruin the happy bubble they had all been in since the start of break.
Killian for his part, was trying to figure out what he was going to do when he returned. He didn't want the distance to ruin what he had with Emma. Of course he knew he wouldn't be able to stay away for another four or so months as he did last semester, knowing who was here waiting for him. Hell, he still beat himself up over that fact that she had lived here for months and he never met her, all because he was too busy partying up at school to come see his family.
He knew that the distance wouldn't lessen his affections for Emma, which were growing with each passing minute. But long distance relationships were hard, and not easily maintained. What if Emma didn't want to do long distance? What if she got bored waiting around for him? What if in his absence, Graham moved in on her and she decides she wants a guy who will actually be around?
No, he couldn't think like that. He had asked Emma to have faith in him and their relationship and she had quickly agreed, taking that leap with him. How could he doubt them now, knowing that she was rooting for them to succeed?
However, in all this mess, Killian just couldn't help but feel as if he were forgetting something.
New Year's Eve rang a bell in his head, as though something were supposed to be happening.
The feeling was annoying, but as he sat, surrounded by his friends, with his girlfriend under his arm, her head on his shoulder, watching the New Year's Eve show, he couldn't bring himself to care about whatever he might have forgotten.
Because at the end of the day, it didn't matter. He was home with his family, his best friends, and a woman he couldn't have conjured up in even his wildest of dreams.
What could be more important than what he was doing right now?
"Honeys I'm home!" Jefferson called as he sauntered through the front door, a mischievous grin on his face. "And I come bearing gifts!"
He threw his hands in the air, showcasing the two bottles of alcohol he was carrying.
Mary Margaret was out of David's arms and up in a flash, protesting Jefferson's gift.
"We all agreed no drinking tonight!"
Jefferson rolled his eyes in response, "Come on Mary Margaret, it's New Year's Eve!"
Mary Margaret scowled, "That doesn't mean we have to drink! We agreed that this was just going to be a nice, quiet evening to enjoy with our friends."
David stood up, ready to have Mary Margaret's back, "She's right, Jeff."
"Well then I guess it's a good thing I only brought some classy champagne for us to toast with later." He smirked, glad at having been able to get Mary Margaret worked up (it was a specialty of his).
"Really?" Emma asked, still wrapped in Killian's embrace.
While she had agreed to the no alcohol rule, she had never had champagne before, and the idea of being able to toast to the new year, surrounded by all the people she loved, was exciting.
"Oh, you've done it now, Jeffy!" Ruby hollered, jumping off her spot on the ground and joining the huddle. "I'm going to be the classiest bitch on the block!"
"I'm pretty sure that phrase alone disqualifies you, Ruby." Regina mumbled, her gaze still fixed on the TV, as she ran her fingers through Robin's hair.
"Yeah, yeah," Ruby responded, dismissing Regina's comment with a wave of her fingers.
Killian leaned over to whisper in Emma's ear, "How are you going to toast in the New Year, when you will be otherwise occupied?"
Emma turned to him confused, yet willing to play along to whatever her boyfriend was up to, "Care to let me in on the secret? Cause I didn't think I had any other plans."
"I believe it's traditional for couples to kiss at midnight, is it not?" He teased.
"Oh? And what makes you think I'm going to kiss you? Maybe I'm not one for traditions."
Killian raised his eyebrows, clearly very interested in Emma's past experience with this specific tradition. "Are you telling me you have never had a New Year's kiss?"
"Well," Emma started, "I wouldn't say never."
"I feel like there is a story behind that, Swan."
Emma grimaced, "It's not a very good one."
It was Killian's turn to frown. "Why was that, love?"
"Last year I was in a pretty shitty foster home, and my foster brother, Nathan, was one of those touchy ones."
She noticed Killian's jaw clench and his eyes darken, his voice came out in a low growl, "Why do I get the feeling I'm really not going to like this story?"
"You're probably not. Anyway, Nathan had been trying to get into my pants for awhile, but I made sure to never be alone with him or keep my distance. Well, New Year's comes and we were watching the show with our foster parents. It was supposed to be a "family event". I was so caught up in the show, I didn't notice our foster mom sneak off to bed or that or foster dad was passed out drunk. So when midnight hits, Nathan grabs me and just kisses me. But it wasn't like a sweet, spontaneous kiss. It was forceful. He wouldn't get off me and the bastard even tried to feel up my shirt, but I just kneed him in the balls and he jumped right off."
Killian didn't say anything, just stared at her with a furious expression. A few seconds later her spoke, his voice low and dangerous, "Tell me you moved out after that."
"Nope. I stayed there for another three months."
Killian looked like he was about to shout or get angry so she jumped in, attempting to calm him, "Killian it's okay. It was just a kiss. Not even the worst thing that's ever happened to me."
"Somehow lass, that doesn't make me feel better."
She sighed, "I know. But hey, at least you can make this year a better experience then, right?"
His features softened slightly, "Does that mean I'm getting a New Year's kiss?"
Emma laughed, "Only if you're good."
Two hours later, the clock read 11:55pm, and the whole group was spread around the TV, glasses of champange in their hands, ready to bring in the New Year.
Everyone agreed that the maximum amount of glasses would be two, in order to make sure no one went to crazy and ruined their evening.
"Can you guys believe it? Last five minutes of the year." Graham said.
Everyone smiled, thinking over the memories of the last year.
"And to think, we didn't even know Emma back then." Ruby added.
Everyone turned to look at her, "And look how blessed we are all to have her." Mary Margaret smiled.
"You guys are blessed?" Emma breathed, "Before this, I was all alone. I had nothing and no one. And now? I've gained a family, amazing friends, an incredible boyfriend," Killian squeezed her hand tighter, "and most importantly, a place to call home."
Everyone released various forms of "aw" and moved to pat her hand or give her a hug. Killian, wrapped his arm tighter around her, turning to kiss her on the forehead.
"Break it up guys! It's 11:59!" Ruby yelled.
Everyone sat up straighter in anticipation, counting down the last minute of the year.
Suddenly, the ringing of the doorbell sounded, causing everyone to look confused. Anyone who was a part of their group would have simply walked in.
"I'll get it," Killian volunteered.
"Be back by midnight," Emma teased, giving him flirtatious smile.
He gave her a mock bow, "As you wish," before turning towards the door.
Killian turned into the hallway as the doorbell rang again.
"I'm coming!"
He pulled the door open revealing the last person he expected to see. A person whose existence he had completely forgotten about until this second.
His stomach dropped, knowing the shit storm this was going to stir up.
"Milah?" He gasped.
Off in the other room, the countdown started.
10
A smile broke out on Milah's face.
9
"Killy!" She screamed. Throwing her arms around him.
8
"What...What are you doing here Milah?"
7
"Don't you remember? You invited me!"
6
Killian vaguely remembered throwing a noncommittal suggestion that Milah come see them for New Year's.
5
"Killian?" Emma called from the other room.
4
"Milah, you can't be here" Killian spoke, trying to pull away.
"What are you talking about? You invited me! And now we can spend New Year's together!"
3
Emma turns the corner, seeing Killian and a beautiful black haired women with her arms around him.
2
Killian starts to protest, but Milah is too fast, throwing her lips onto his as the New Year rings in.
1
Emma stands in the entryway, watching another woman kiss her boyfriend and taking what should have been her New Year's kiss. Her heart breaking at the sight.
The room behind them breaks out into whoops and hollers, and choruses of the same phrase.
"Happy New Year!"
Don't hate me for the cliffhanger. Just review and I'll write faster :)