I do not own the rights to Once Upon a Time, Emma Swan, or Killian Jones.
ABC owns them, and The WDC owns ABC.
Chapter 2: Emma's Birthday (October 22, 1995)
Weeks passed, the pair grew closer, and Emma's twelfth birthday was drawing near. This year, her birthday was on a Sunday. She was positive the day would pass like any other with which she had absolutely no problem; if anything, she would prefer it that way. After all, her birthday serves as a reminder of her unwanted, lonely existence.
When she arrived to school on the Friday before her birthday, James was waiting for her at their regular spot in the courtyard. But, the moment she saw him, she knew wasn't right. There he was, leaning against the tree, with the most ridiculous smirk on his face. Emma was sure that he was up to something.
"Good Morning, princess!" James sang as he bowed and left a chaste kiss on her hand. He has made it a habit to call her princess whenever the opportunity arose.
"I told you not to call me that, pirate!" Emma tried to hide the blush as it creeped onto her cheeks. Tired of his shenanigans, she decided that whenever he called her princess, she would refer to him as pirate. Nevertheless, he enjoyed her new nickname for him, since it was the same one he gave himself. She obviously hadn't thought this through.
"Well, you are a princess." winking, James teased, "And you know I am a pirate."
"ANYWAYS" Attempting to change the subject, "Why are you acting so funny?" Emma was suspicious of this whole charade he had going on, calling her princess was one thing, but the bow and kiss? Was that really necessary?
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Looking to the sky, James playfully tried to keep his secret until lunch. Alas, Emma was onto his games.
"You. Are. Acting. Different. You're up to something, I just know it." Forcing eye contact, she wanted him to know that he was dealing with no nonsense Emma right now; she was not having any of his shit.
Raising his hands in defeat, James surrendered his secret, "Okay, Okay, you got me. It may have something to do with your birthday on Sunday."
Looking at him puzzlingly and slightly titling her head, "How did you know? I didn't tell anyone..."
James laughed as he pointed at her binder, "If you didn't want me to know, you best not keep your schedule on your binder. Your birthday is right there."
Alas it was. "Okay, okay. But hush. I don't want people to know." Emma whispered, not breaking eye contact.
"It can be our little secret," winking at her.
"Stop it. You're not that funny." Emma glared.
"Yes, I am! But, that's not the point." James smiled and he took something out of his backpack.
"Here you are, my lady." handing her the package mid-bow.
"But... you didn't have to get me anything." Emma did not see what was so special about her birthday; she was unable remember the last time she received a gift from someone. She was growing increasingly suspicious of James. Yes, their friendship was progressing perfectly, but Emma knew better. This whole thing that they currently have going for them could fall apart at any moment.
Shrugging his shoulders, James added, " I know. But, I saw the opportunity to surprise you, and I took it."
Emma first opened the envelope. The colorful birthday card immediately caught her eye. Opening the card, she saw the poem:
"A greeting on your birthday
For a very happy day
And then a year
That brings the best
Of everything your way
Enjoy your special day!."
It was simply enough; nothing too sentimental, that is, until she saw what James had written.
James signed the card with:
"My lost girl, I am so happy to have you as a friend. I promise I will never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting. No matter what happens, you will always be my very best friend.
Your Pirate,
Captain James Hook"
At first Emma could not place the quote, then it came to her all at once... No, he didn't, she thought to herself,Quoting Peter Pan and signing as Captain Hook, really James?
Laughing to herself, Emma looked up, her eyes meeting James'.
Not only did James call himself a pirate, he insisted that he was the real "Captain James Hook". James repeated fought that he was Captain Hook, since they shared the same first name. That combined with his obsession with pirates and Peter Pan, and you have a fourteen year old boy who thought there had to be a connection. But, Emma always thought that he was her just lost boy, and she was his lost girl.
When Emma opened the gift, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was a copy of Peter Pan.
"What. James." Emma's smile was beaming.
"I just thought, you know... that you should have your own copy. Don't give me that look, I found it at a used book store."
"Thanks. I'll treasure it always." Giving James a hug, Emma practically jumped on top of him. Looking at him, she added, "And you're not Captain Hook."
"You know I am!" James joked; he relished in making Emma smile.
When the bell rang for them to go to class, Emma slid the card into the book, putting them both carefully into her own backpack. Silently laughing, they locked arms and walked to class. After Emma arrived at her Homeroom, she looked at James sincerely, softly thanked him, and promised to see him at lunch. Her heart filled with warmth; she felt like she was on a cloud. How did she get so lucky to have a friend like James?
On their third or fourth trip to the harbor, Emma couldn't remember which, James had let his "Captain Hook" nickname for himself slip. On this particular day, Emma and James decided to venture into some antique shops along the harbor; one store specialized in carrying a wide variety of ship related items. Naturally, they were drawn into it. While looking through a small bin of old fish hooks, James found one larger than the rest.
Without thinking, James pulled his sleeve up, covering his hand that held the hook, and hesitated before speaking in his pirate voice, "Milady, have you seen Peter Pan as of late?". Closing the space between them, James continued acting in character. "Do you know of his whereabouts?"
In response, Emma could not help but let out a chuckle, knowing that now he was not only pretending to be a pirate but THE Captain Hook. "Oh, so now you're Captain Hook?" Laughing, Emma only stopped once she saw the look on James' face.
Putting the hook back where it come from, James backed away from Emma with his grin now turning south. "I didn't mean- I thought-" Emma didn't know what to say, for she had so obviously hurt his feelings. "There's nothing wrong with you joking about being a pirate or Captain Hook. I just-"
Waving his hand and turning away, James cut her off, "I understand that you weren't completely serious. Peter Pan is my go to when I am feeling... I don't know..."
Finishing his sentence, "Alone." Turning to make eye contact once again, James saw in her eyes that her and him, they understood each other.
Opening up, "When I was in a previous home, I used to read Peter Pan every night for comfort, hoping that Peter Pan would come for me. But, I am a girl." Looking up, Emma noticed that he didn't take his eyes off her for a second, "I was more or less laughing at the idea that you would pretend to be the pirate from my favorite story."
The pain was still evident in James' eyes, but his mouth began to curl upward. Not wanting to have such a personal conversation in the store, James suggested that the two of them go to their spot.
The shop was only a few blocks away from their usual hangout, but the walk felt like it went on for miles. They sat on their bench in silence for a few minutes before James began, "So... Peter Pan is your favorite story as well?"
"Yea... a few homes back, I found a copy of Peter Pan in my foster parent's library. After I read it once all the way through, I repeatedly returned to the book for guidance whenever I felt alone. I was always waiting for Peter Pan to take me away from Neverland, but he never came..." as Emma continued her story, tears began to fall along with her walls, "I read that book every night before I went to sleep and returned it before morning, in hopes that they wouldn't find out. Their books were off limits to the foster kids... I always thought that maybe, just maybe, if I had been born a boy, Pan would have come for me and taken me away from this world. Now, I'm just doomed to be alone, listening to adults who will inevitably push me aside."
"Emma..." softly escaped his lips as he moved to open his backpack. With tears in his own eyes, James revealed his own copy of Peter Pan and began to read:
"All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in the garden,and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother..."
James continued to read from his copy of Peter Pan until her tears came to an end and the story proved to comfort her like it had in the past. In that moment, James knew that he had to, he was determined to, find her a copy of their favorite story.
"Thank you..." she breathed. By now, Emma was leaning against his shoulder with tear stained cheeks. "So, how did you come to love Peter Pan?"
Responding with a faint smile, James started, "Well, when I was much younger, I lived at a group home for a few years. There, I stumbled upon this copy of our favorite story," motioning to the book, "Similar to you, after I finished the book, I reread it whenever I was sad or alone. I always kept to myself, and I found a friend in this story. As a boy, I had the same dream as you; I wanted to be taken away to the land full of lost boys and pirates and Pan himself, to the place where you never grow up and there's no need for grown ups. Grownups never did me any good anyway. When my stay at the group home was up, I took the book with me, knowing that I would still need it after I left. Now, I carry it everywhere. Since I met you, I...uh... I haven't relied on it as much as I did before... I had no idea that you... you went to it for comfort like I did. How is this possible?"
Emma's voice shook as she slowly answered his rhetorical question, "I guess... perhaps...maybe... when you grow up like we have, you find places or books that make you feel...home... especially when your home isn't... isn't permanent."
For a few moments, the two of them exchanged eye contact, neither knowing what to say or what to do next. They both had just opened up, making themselves vulnerable to each other, revealing another commonality-they were both orphans.
Still sitting there, Emma spoke so quietly, James barely heard her, "Do you think... we'll be able to stay friends?"
Slowly, Emma saw James face turn into a smile, "Well, I hope so. What does our story teach us?"
Mid-laugh, Emma recited the famous line, "faith, trust, and pixie dust. But-"
"Noo. No but's!" said with a smile, "Sadly, I think it's time for us to head to the bus. Monday?"
Returning the smile, Emma simply said, "Monday."
Back to Emma's birthday, James and Emma spent their lunch together as usual. Emma began to wonder if this could last; the feeling that it was the two of them against the world. She wanted to believe that they would always have each other in their lives, but she knew better than to get comfortable. Regardless, she decided to enjoy moments like these while they lasted, eating lunch with her best friend, her only friend, and joking nonstop. Or, perhaps, she will always remember how James insisted on calling her "princess" and himself "Captain Hook". Maybe, in years from now, after they so inevitably part ways, she will see him again. But, today was her birthday, so she tried her best to push those thoughts far away from here.
Sitting under their tree, eating sandwiches, Emma was lost in her thoughts. When she finally looked up, Emma caught James staring at her. "James, please don't watch me eat." Emma requested, making a face and hoping to distract him for a moment.
"Ahh, but you eat sandwiches so eloquently." he joked as he mimicked her exaggerated facial expression.
"Lies. Will you let me eat in peace?" She questioned, turning their moment into a banter.
"Now, why would I do such a thing?" James said, raising one eye brow.
"Because you respect my wishes. Or you would if you truly thought I was a princess." Their small banter had yet again transformed into them teasing each other.
"Ah! So you admit it! You are a princess! I knew it!" Unable to control his joy in her referring to herself as a princess, James relished in this moment.
"I didn't say that!" Emma fought back.
"Yes, you did! And I am a pirate! The princess and the pirate!" James was practically singing in enthusiasm.
Now regretting the comment she made, "No. NOPE. I'm not a princess and you're no pirate!".
"Yes! I always knew. Hopefully, someday you will see!" James beamed, he was completely happy with the way this conversation was headed.
"Never!" No longer able to hold in her laughter, Emma burst into giggles, throwing a leaf at James in defense.
"That's not very princess-like of you!" Tossing a leaf back at her, almost making his target.
"Ha. But, you see, my true identity has yet to be revealed!" Just as the words left her, Emma began to giggle hysterically.
"Wow, princess, can you please contain yourself?", now laughing at the sight before him.
"I- I can't stop-" She laughed as she fell into his lap.
Making eye contact, James gave her a Emma, really? look. At a leisurely pace, Emma eventually got her laughs under control. Now growing silent, Emma realized she was still lying on his lap. As a blush creeped onto her lap and she moved back into a sitting position, Emma apologized, "Ohh, sorry."
"Haha, it's fine. I found it quite amusing." James smiled, not able to keep his eyes off her.
As soon as Emma sat completely up, the bell rang, ending lunch. The remainder of Emma's classes and came went; she couldn't stop thinking about how thoughtful his gift was and how sincere he was. When she wasn't thinking about James' gift, Emma was thinking about how she lost control of her laughter at lunch and ended up in his lap. He was her only friend, crossing lines was unacceptable.
After school, Emma and James went to the harbor like usual. The whole time, James thought about the events of the day. Since the moment he first saw her, James knew that Emma was special, different. There was something about her that made him feel drawn in her direction. Deep down in his heart, James hoped life worked this friendship out. As Emma fell into his lap, he knew. Was he in love? No. NO, James was not in love. He was simply aware of how perfectly they fit together, understood each other; they were kindred spirits. He knew that he deeply cared for Emma,and he was determined to do whatever it took to make her happy. But, in all honesty, love? No, maybe a little crush, but they were far too young to think of the possibility of love.
At the harbor, Emma and James walked around the dock, admiring the ships and talking about the possibility of pirates. Humoring him, Emma considered, "Maybe, there were pirates here once."
"I told you! This town has a long history of sea captains, and I swear some of them had to be pirates!"
"Maybe, I said maybe" Smiling, the two of them continued making up a rich history until their time together came to an end. The two of them ended their day by sharing an order of fries and watching the passersby. With a hug and a quick farewell, the two parted aways for the weekend.
On the bus ride home, Emma was starting to believe that their friendship could last; she hopes that it might just last forever. But, forever was an awfully long time. However, she knew, deep down within her heart, someday they would have to say goodbye. The thought brought her pain; so, she continued to push it far from her mind. She was aware that foster homes never lasted, and just because the Hansen's seem to like her now; it doesn't mean they will continue to do so later.
Life often changes without warning.
How can she promise to Never Say Goodbye, when the future is so uncertain?
Thank you all for the follows, favorites, and kind reviews. I really appreciate it. 3
I am going to try to update every Friday, but I thought I'd give this chapter to you all early.
(Alas, there will still be another chapter posted this Friday.)