Chapter 20:Gypsy
AN: This chapter is named after Lady Gaga's song 'Gypsy'. A huge thank you to my friend and editor 4getfulimaginator for editing this chapter and the chapter name!
Snow couldn't take her eyes off her daughter, who couldn't stop smiling and whose face was glowing with happiness. Her daughter's gaze kept wandering occasionally from watching Lancelot and Juliet looking at each other, but her eyes never left Killian for long. Not very long ago, she had almost begun to lose hope that Emma would ever be happy again. Snow's faith that good would always win was reaffirmed.
"Mother, I know that Gretchen's assistant is leaving the kingdom ― but my friend Juliet is a great seamstress. She is in need of a job and lodging. I was hoping she could work for you." Emma looked over at her mother, hoping she would agree.
"Of course, Emma." Snow grinned, turning her attention to Juliet. "I would love for you to stay here in the castle. I'll have someone show you to your room after breakfast."
"Thank you so much, Princess Snow." Juliet nodded, her eyes welling up with tears of happiness. She would have finally a real home and job.
"I'll show you to your room and give you a tour of the castle now, if you are done eating," Lancelot said, wanting to give Emma and Killian more alone time with her family.
"Yes, I would love that. But only if it's alright with everyone," Juliet replied, looking around the table for approval from all of the royals.
"Yes, go on," Emma grinned at her and Lancelot, who both excused themselves from the table. Once they were out of earshot, Emma said, "Thank you for taking in my friend."
"Emma, we would do anything for you." Charming's voice wavered, feeling the loss of his daughter ― and she hadn't even left yet.
"Do you know if I'll have a little brother or sister?" she asked softly, biting her lip because she would most likely never know her younger sibling.
"You will have a little sister." Snow's blue eyes were beaming with happiness, although sadness ran through her at knowing Emma wouldn't be around to see her grow up.
"Congratulations! Let's toast to the newest royal in your family," Killian exclaimed, holding up his goblet.
"Our family," Snow and Emma corrected him in unison, earning a huge smile from Killian.
"Aye, you are right, lasses. To the newest member of our family," Killian corrected himself, his happiness running over at the thought.
Everyone raised their glasses and then drank, all of them smiling and taking in the moment. None of them knew when Emma and Killian would return or if it would be safe for them to return with Rumpelstiltskin and the Evil Queen around.
Snow rose out of her chair, walking over to Killian and Emma and reaching in her pocket to pull out a necklace. "Do you remember this necklace?" Snow asked, kneeling next to Emma and holding it up. Emma swallowed hard, nodding, tears in her eyes as she held her hand out. "I want you to have it."
Killian's eyes locked on his wife and her mother as Snow dangled the necklace over Emma's hand and it began to swing on its own. Scratching his temple, he leaned in closer to Emma when he saw tears running down her cheeks. "Emma, love," he gently whispered, taking her free hand in his. Emma raised her eyes from the necklace to her mother, who was crying as well. Snow laid the necklace on Emma's hand before standing up and taking a few steps backwards.
Taking a deep breath, Emma swiveled in her chair to face Killian. "The necklace was my grandmother's, given to her by a gypsy. It will tell you the gender of your children before they are even conceived," Emma replied in a soft whisper, but Killian heard every word.
His blue eyes dilated with wonder. "What about our child?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion as tears of happiness welled in his eyes.
"A boy," Emma breathed, leaning her forehead against his.
"We will have a son," he rasped, tears of joy and awe running down his cheeks. "Gods, I love you." He pulled her into his arms, hugging her to him and kissing the top of her head with his eyes closed.
Snow sat down on Charming's lap, clinging to him after wiping away happy tears. Pulling her eyes off of the happy couple, she saw her husband crying too. She raised her hands up to his cheeks to wipe away his tears with her fingertips. "Let's leave them alone," she whispered, standing up quietly as he followed her lead. They snuck out of the room without Emma or Killian noticing them.
Killian opened his eyes, finally noticing that they were all alone and pulling back slightly so he could look into Emma's eyes. "I know that I do not deserve you or all of the happiness and love you bring me, but I won't let anyone or anything take it from me."
"Killian, you deserve happiness and love," Emma stressed, determination and love lighting up her green eyes. "And I'm going to make sure that you have a ridiculous amount of both."
"As long as I have you, then I will." He leaned in, kissing her passionately and pulling her onto his lap.
"Killian," Emma whispered, pushing him away as her cheeks turned bright red. "My parents," she began to say, but Killian cut her off, kissing her lips softly once again.
"They left the room, love. Look," he interrupted her, turning her around to see that the room was empty. "I might be a lustful pirate, but I know better than to maul a princess in front of her overprotective father."
Emma snorted, turning back around to look at him. "I think in certain situations you wouldn't care or hesitate one bit." Killian gave her an innocent 'who me look' and raised a brow in question. "What if I was wearing the corset from our poker game at the time?"
"Mm," Killian moaned, his tongue licking his bottom lip. "I believe you are correct. You must bring it with us," he purred, moving in closer to her lips. "I wanted to rip it off you and take you on the bloody poker table. And I will rip it off you the next time you wear it."
"I'll hold you to it, Captain Jones," Emma whispered, brushing her lips teasingly against his before standing up. Killian's hands went out to grab her, his blue eyes dilating with lust. "Save it for later, my husband ― let's go pack the rest of my things and then go find my parents. " He nodded in agreement, wanting Emma to spend all the time she could with her parents before they left.
The Castle Gardens
"Charming, are you alright?" Snow asked, sitting down on the bench next to him.
He broke out of the thoughts he'd been lost in, looking over at her. "It's breaking my heart to know we might not see Emma or ever get to meet our grandchildren." Tears began to fill Snow's eyes at the thought of never seeing their daughter again.
"I thought the last time she left was bad, but this time we know there is a very good chance we'll never see her again. " He took Snow's hands in his, intertwining his fingers with hers, and then took a deep breath. "But at least this time we trust that Emma will be happy and safe."
"You like him?" Snow gasped, her blue eyes going wide and a smile crossing her lips.
"No!" James insisted on seeing Emma and Killian approaching them. Snow saw them as well, immediately dropping the subject. "Are you two leaving?" He managed to keep his voice neutral when he felt like he could barely breathe.
"We are leaving shortly," Killian answered, setting his gaze on Emma's father. "May I have a word with you in private, Prince James?"
James nodded, motioning for him to follow him towards the back of the garden.
Killian began to follow him, but he heard Emma calling out his name in a worried tone. "Don't worry, darling. I'll be on my best behavior. Pirates' honor," he said, turning around to wink at her before he walked off with Charming. Snow and Emma watched their husbands leave together, both with worried looks on their faces.
Once they were at the very end of the garden, James broke his silence. "What would you like to talk about, Captain Jones?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Killian let his neutral expression fall away, giving the prince one of loyalty and sincerity. "I need you to know I will not let any harm come to Emma. She is the most brilliant person I've ever met. " He took a deep breath before continuing. "There is another danger you must know about besides Rumpelstiltskin and the Evil Queen."
"Let me guess: you brought this danger into her life," Charming seethed, taking a few steps closer to Killian.
"Aye," Killian admitted, guilt etched in his features. Charming's arm cocked back to punch the pirate. "It's my father, Captain Jack Sparrow." Killian saw Charming's fist moving towards him. But he didn't bother to move, because he felt it was deserved. Charming's fist abruptly stopped in mid-air while he took a step backwards.
"I thought you said all your family was dead," he replied, taking a much needed deep breath to calm himself down. The pain on the pirate's face when he spoke of his father made Charming re-think punching him. "Explain."
"My mother and I both believed my father died the day my mother was murdered by the Dark One. Milah, my mother, was married to Rumpelstiltskin before he became the Dark One and before she met my father," Killian explained, seeing the tension and anger draining out of Prince James. "They were happy for a short time together and had a child, Baelfire, together ― before Rumpelstiltskin was branded a coward in the Ogre Wars. My mother wanted to leave town and start over but he refused. She met my father in a tavern one night and they talked all night. She told me that the stories of his adventures, his love for life and his charm made her feel alive for the first time in years. My father was a womanizer until he laid eyes on my mother, then he said that was it. He was ruined and no other woman would ever compare to her." A small smile formed on Killian's lips, knowing all too well how that felt.
"Why would your father want to hurt Emma?" James asked, raising a brow. He couldn't believe that Killian's father was the same pirate that Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner had named their child after.
"My father has the Dark One's dagger and he plans on killing him. Whomever kills the Dark One becomes the Dark One." Killian saw Charming looking at him, confused as to how that put Emma in danger. "The Dark One, whomever he may be, would do anything to get more magic ― and that puts Emma in grave danger." He said the last part softly, but Charming heard him.
Charming's blue eyes grew wide. "You mean Emma has―" He started but couldn't get the words out. Killian nodded at the Prince. "When did this start? How does he know?" The revelation that Emma had magical powers stunned him.
"We first noticed it in Neverland," he said in a hushed tone. Killian knew to leave out any intimate details or Prince James would try to kill him. "I didn't know my father was alive until the moment he revealed himself in Neverland. He acquired the dagger, and afterwards, we all left Neverland together. "
"I've heard killing the Dark One has a steep consequence. Does he know he will become the Dark One if he uses the dagger on him?" Charming studied Killian, seeing sadness and pain etched all over his features.
"Aye, killing the Dark One is his only concern. I was just like him." Killian lowered his eyes to the ground for a few seconds, and then raised them to meet Charming's. "Now, my only concern is Emma."
"Why are you telling me all this?" He wondered why Emma hadn't told him or Snow about her having magical powers. It stung deeply that Emma had trusted and confided in the pirate instead of her own parents.
"To keep Emma safe. My father will come here looking for clues on our whereabouts if he becomes the Dark One." Killian swallowed hard. "I was going to kill him before he could be a danger to Emma. But she pleaded with me not to and to have faith in her." Guilt was running through him that he didn't take the opportunity when it was before him.
"You would kill your own father, the only blood relative you have alive, for my daughter?" Charming moved in closer to Killian, waiting for an answer.
"I would do anything to keep Emma safe and happy," Killian replied to Emma's father. He studied the Prince's face, waiting for disgust to cross it at hearing he could kill his own father.
"When you first arrived at the castle, I was terrified to have my eighteen-year-old daughter spending time with Captain Hook." James paused, seeing Killian frown when he called him by his old moniker, but he continued. "Although I hated it, I allowed it because your company seemed to bring her some happiness. She was slowly dying everyday from the grief of losing Graham." He sighed, looking over in the distance, and Killian followed his gaze to see a gravestone. "The only thing that terrified me more than you spending time with her was her dying of a broken heart. I couldn't bear the thought of having to bury another child like I did with Graham." Charming's blue eyes watered as he looked back at Killian.
"Graham was a bloody good man. I'm not sure that I could ever measure up to him in your eyes when it comes to a son-in-law, but I hope to one day." Killian adverted his eyes to the ground, nervous that he would see that was the truth. The pirate in him felt absolute disgust at his words, or the fact he wanted his approval in the first place.
"The pirate who showed up in my kingdom, intent on only bedding my daughter, never could," James replied as Killian's eyes flew up to look at him. Killian's jaw clenched in anger and hurt at the Prince's harsh words, although they didn't surprise him. "But I do not see that pirate in front of me today: I see a man named Killian Jones." Utterly stunned, Killian's jaw fell, making Charming chuckle softly. "Captain Hook, I despise. But Killian Jones isn't too bad."
A smile dawned Killian's face. "Killian Jones was lost for hundreds of years, but the love of a bloody amazing woman brought him back."
"I didn't realize how lost I had become until I fell in love with Snow," James admitted to his son-in-law, finding that he liked him more with each moment that passed. "The love of a good woman can save a man."
"Aye." Killian nodded at him, holding out his hand to him. "Mates, Prince James?" he questioned as James stared at him.
"No," James replied, shaking his head at the pirate whose hand fell to his side. "My mates call me James," he declared, holding out his hand for Killian to shake it and making him grin. They shook hands and then James grinned. "Let's get back to our wives before they think we killed each other."
"You go ahead, mate. There is something I need to do," he answered, looking over towards Graham's gravestone.
"Of course, Killian. Take your time." James nodded, immediately getting his attention by using his real name to address him. He nodded before heading back to his wife and daughter.
Killian slowly approached Graham's gravestone, stopping a few paces in front of it. He looked around to make sure there wasn't anyone around. "I owe you thanks, Graham," he said in a low voice. "If it wasn't for your warning, I would be on my way into turning into the Dark One and turning away from Emma." Killian shuddered, not wanting to imagine what that fate would be like. "The only way I could even think of paying you back is to take bloody good care of Emma. You look at her the same way I do, like she's everything to you and your only salvation. If our roles were reversed, it would be my wish as well." Killian walked up to the gravestone, touching the stone with his right hand. "I give you my word, mate," he whispered before removing his hand and taking a step backwards. Killian turned around to see Emma standing there, fighting back tears. "It's not polite to eavesdrop on a pirate, lass. Nor is it safe to sneak up on one." He shook his right index finger at her, giving her his trademark smirk.
"I had to make sure my father didn't kill you," she retorted, trying like Killian to lighten the highly emotional mood. "It looks as though no punches were thrown and everyone has all their limbs, so that's a good sign."
Killian chuckled, closing the distance between them to put his hands on her shoulders. "I'll let you inspect all of me later to make extra sure." He gave her a seductive grin while winking at her.
"I'm counting on it," Emma smirked back, leaning in to gently kiss him on the lips.
"Pirates' honor," he swore, returning the smirk before his expression turned serious. "I'll give you a minute to say goodbye alone." Killian started to move around her to walk away, although Emma sidestepped him, moving into his path.
Emma took Killian's hands in hers. "I already did on the ship. I'll never forget or ever stop loving Graham, but you are my future and my husband." She smiled lovingly at him, looking into his eyes and seeing the love and happiness shining in them. Emma tugged on his hands, letting him know she was ready to go. He followed her lead, walking back towards the castle. "May I ask what you and my father discussed?" She felt the tension in his hand upon her questioning.
"Your father needed to be aware of the danger Jack Sparrow could bring to us." Killian paused upon seeing panic on her face. "Please do not be angry with me, love. In order to protect you, he needs to be aware of all of the facts."
"You're right." Emma swallowed hard, her breath catching in her chest. Fear ran through her, wondering if her parents would be frightened of her because magic turned most people into monsters. Her next thought was lost to her when Killian hauled her into his embrace.
"My Emma, you have nothing to fear or worry about. Your parents know, much like me, that you have the purest most loving heart. Your love turned a murderous, rage-filled, revenge-driven Captain Hook back into Killian Jones," he reassured her, getting a look of amazement from her. "What is it, love?"
"I love you, Killian," she whispered, leaning in to kiss him and sending a small amount of magic through the bond. He moaned softly, not out of desire, but utter contentment.
"I love you more," he rasped with his lips hovering over hers, feeling overwhelmed by how much he adored and loved Emma. "I'm over three hundred years old, but I was just existing. I didn't started living until the moment I saw you in the forest."
Tears of happiness started running down Emma's cheeks. "I didn't want to continue living after I lost Graham and Elizabeth. But the day you appeared in the forest, I felt connected to you. You brought me back to life, Killian."
Killian brushed away Emma's tears gently using his thumbs. "Are you ready to ship out, love?" He knew they needed to leave soon before the Evil Queen or the Dark One made an appearance.
"Yes, let's go home to our ship." Emma nodded, excited about their traveling new realms.
The Evil Queen's Castle
"I said, show me Princess Emma!" she screeched at her magic mirror, furious she couldn't see the princess.
"Your Majesty, I can no longer see any visions of her. It's almost like there is magic cloaking her from my view," the Magic Mirror repeated for the fifth time that day.
"That's IMPOSSIBLE!" A large hammer appeared in her hand, and Regina narrowed her dark eyes at the mirror. "If you do not show me Princess Emma, I will smash you into pieces!"
"Having a bad day, Regina?" Bae teased as she spun around to see him, leaning up against the doorframe.
"Yes, this useless piece of trash will not show me what I asked to see," Regina hissed, flicking her wrist and causing all the mirrors in the room to disappear. "What brings you by?" she questioned, approaching him and seeing the smirk on his lips.
"Maybe I missed you?" he countered, getting a laugh of amusement from her. "My father says we will have the dagger in a week. What do you say we celebrate?"
"I'm not in the mood." The Evil Queen was unable to shake her annoyance that Emma was hidden from her.
Baelfire wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her body flush to his. "I remember you telling me how you acquired your magic mirror, a genie tying himself to you because he believed to be in love with you." He grinned at her. "If your magic mirror is failing you, then he should be punished. Would you like to hear my idea for this punishment?"
"Mm, I would." Regina's ears perked up at the idea, running her fingers through Baelfire's short dark hair. She had to admit she loved how cruel and evil his thoughts and ideas were.
"I hear the most painful thing for a person is to see the one you love or desire with another. We should make your trapped genie watch while I take you repeatedly," he suggested while Regina laughed evilly.
"I love the way you think," she purred, waving her hand and filling the room with tall mirrors. "Magic Mirror."
"Yes, my queen, how may I help you?" the trapped Genie answered, his face appearing in mirror closer to her. The irritation, desperation and sadness on his face was reflected inside the mirror.
"By doing what you do best ― observing life going on before you while you are trapped in your mirrored prison," she answered, her dark eyes lighting up with amusement and smirking at the trapped genie. Regina crushed her lips onto Bae's, pushing him down on the bed.
The docks
Killian held Emma's hand tightly in his, rubbing soothing circles on her skin as they reached the gangplank of the Jolly Roger with Snow, James, Lancelot and Juliet behind them. They turned to face their family and friends to say their goodbyes. Killian let go of Emma's hand, walking over to Sir Lancelot. "I owe you a great debt of gratitude, Sir Lancelot. You brought Princess Emma to me and then I repaid you by leaving you at port. You have my sincerest apologies, Sir Lancelot." Killian nodded at the honorable knight in front of him.
"Princess Emma made it quite clear it was her doing, not yours. All I ask of you is to protect her, keep her happy and love her," he replied, unable to believe he genuinely liked the pirate named Captain Hook.
"Aye," Killian smiled, glancing over at Emma hugging her mother. "She will be doing the same for me, so I feel I owe you more of a thanks," he added, looking back at the man responsible for returning Emma to him. Reaching inside his leather coat, he pulled out a beautifully elegant sword, the blade glimmering in the sunlight. "This sword is enchanted with magic, and it will deflect magic if needed. Please accept it as a token of my appreciation and with my thanks." He held out the handle of the sword to him.
Lancelot couldn't help but stare at the enchanted sword in awe. He'd seen one before in Camelot, but it belonged to Arthur. "It's beautiful," Lancelot said softly, reaching out take the sword. His dark eyes grew large, feeling the magic running through him once the sword was in his hands.
"The sword is now bound to you. No enemy will be able to take it from you or use it against anyone you choose to protect," Killian explained, seeing the looks of disbelief on Juliet's and Lancelot's faces. "A good friend of mine enchanted it for me when I told her the sword was for the man who brought my Emma to me."
"Thank you, Captain Jones." Lancelot swallowed hard, looking at the sword and touched by the gesture. "But I think you should have it to make sure Emma is safe." He looked up, holding out the sword to return it.
Killian took a step backwards, shaking his head. "It's already yours, mate. Once the destined owner possesses the sword, there is giving it to anyone else," he explained, then a huge grin crossed his face. "Emma's a tough lass ― she's not some damsel in distress. After all, she is the one who saved me by bringing me back to life."
Lancelot smiled, looking over at Emma, who was sandwiched between her parents in a hug. "Anyone who knows Princess Emma knows that," he chuckled as Killian joined in with him.
Juliet took a step towards Killian. "I can't thank you and Princess Emma enough for my new life, Captain Jones."
"You owe me nothing ― it's my wife you should be thanking. But you can really thank her by looking after her parents," Killian softly replied, not wanting his in-laws to hear them.
"I promise I will everyday," Juliet agreed then grinned at him. "I also promise to keep the secret that Captain Jones is a gentleman." She winked at him.
"No one would believe you," Killian chuckled as Emma's arms wrapped around his waist from behind. "Ready to go, my love?" he asked, looking back at Emma.
"I want to say goodbye to Lancelot and Juliet first. Oh, and my parents want to say goodbye to you as well," Emma answered, getting a nod from Killian before he walked over to her parents.
Juliet took a few steps towards Emma. "I know we had a rough start, but I've never had a true friend like you, Emma." Her voice wavered, overcome with gratefulness to Emma and sadness about possibly never seeing her ever again.
"The past is forgotten. I'm going to miss my friend." Emma wrapped her arms around Juliet, hugging her tightly. "Please look after my parents and Lancelot for me," she whispered in her ear.
"I swear it," Juliet whispered in response before letting go of Emma. "I'll let you say goodbye to Sir Lancelot." She took a few strides away from them to give them privacy.
"My dear friend, I'm going to miss you," Emma said with tears stinging her eyes, walking up to him and taking his hands in hers.
"I will miss you too." He smiled at her, feeling sadness well up in him. Besides Graham, Emma was the only one he'd confided in about his past love. "I have no doubts about you having a long happy life as a pirate."
"I have no doubt that you will find love again. You deserve it." Tears were running down Emma's cheeks while she pulled him into a hug.
Killian approached Snow and James, giving them a small smile, when Snow took a step forward and embraced the pirate. "You are a good man, Killian Jones. I know you will love and protect my daughter and future grandson," she whispered into his ear, tears rolling down her checks.
"Aye. If it's ever safe to bring Emma back or you to us, then I promise I will do so," Killian swore to her, hoping it would be possible. He found that he not only would miss Snow but James as well.
"I know you will, my son." Snow smiled, pulling away and cupping his face while smiling at him lovingly. "Remember, Killian: family is family, no matter how much distance is between them."
He nodded at her, not trusting his voice, because he truly had a family. "Alright, let's set sail," Emma said to Killian, wrapping her arms around him. "We'll be in touch when it's safe for everyone."
"I love you, Emma." Snow's voice cracked, feeling the loss of her daughter already.
Emma let out a squeal of surprise as Killian picked her up bridal style. "We are starting our honeymoon, love. It's tradition to carry your wife over the threshold of your home." He grinned, trying to keep tears and sorrow out of his wife's eyes.
"Mm, where are you taking me for our honeymoon?" she asked playfully and raised a brow as he began to carry her up the gangplank with expert ease.
"It's a surprise, Emma." He chuckled on seeing her pout, wanting to kiss her, but held off. "Well, I can tell you I will be taking you on many different surfaces of our ship, in numerous different positions until you pass out from pleasure," he drawled out lustfully, licking his bottom lip seductively.
The sound of Charming unsheathing his sword was heard by him and Emma, and then Snow's voice called out, "Charming. put away your sword."
"Tell that to the pirate!" Charming seethed, seeing Killian reaching the end of the gangplank with his little girl in his arms. He wanted to shout at the pirate that they were no longer mates ― but he didn't.
"Goodbye," Emma called to her parents, sorrow running over her knowing this might be the last time she ever saw them. Killian held her in his arms, kissing her softly on the top of her head as the ship began to pull away from the dock. "You almost got yourself killed back there with that comment about taking me," she whispered, trying to take her mind off the loss of her parents in her life.
"You're the one who asked me about taking you. I'm a pirate, remember?" he smirked, making her scoff at him. Then his facial expression turned from amused and lustful to devoted and happy. "I'm anxious to have our lad growing inside of you," he whispered, staring into Emma's awestruck eyes at the idea.
"Me too." Emma ran her fingers through his short dark hair. "You promised to me hours of pleasure, Captain Jones. I'm ready to collect." She leaned in, her lips brushing up against his ear.
"As you wish, my love," he purred, carrying her towards their cabin.
Emma glanced over the shore and her parents disappearing in the distance. She knew she would fall apart if she stood there until she couldn't see them anymore. Goodbyes were said and now she had to look forward to the future with Killian. She would miss her parents every second of everyday, like with Graham, but Killian was her future.