A/N: So way back in February the lovely Mayquita celebrated her birthday and requested some fluff from this lovely verse. Of course, I am always happy to return to this one as it has a special place in my heart. Unfortunately life got in the way and this took me FOREVER to get finished. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this little piece of Killian and Emma's future with their children just as much as I did writing it.
Tere: You are a wonderful friend and I am so thankful to have met you! I hope you enjoy this!
Quick thank you to all of those who have favorited and followed this fic. The last two weeks have seen a spike in favorites and followers and that made me smile! So, thank you for being so awesome!
(On a separate note: I know many of you are waiting on the next chapter of Learning to Love (Again) and rest assured that it is in the works. I have two more prompts to finish before I can get to it and writing is slow lately as school, and work, is kicking my butt. Thank you all for your patience!)
Three Years Later.
Bloody hell. Killian's hands shook as he whispered the words into the emptiness of the room. Bloody hell. His fingers tapped lightly against his jean covered thigh in a pattern even he could not decipher. Bloody hell. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath attempting to settle his rapidly beating heart. Why was he so nervous? Why was he…
Sighing, he opened his eyes to run his fingers through his hair, pulling gently as he reached the ends. He shouldn't be this nervous and yet… Perhaps it was because it had been eleven years since he'd been in a room like this one, eleven years since he'd felt this energy simmering just below his skin, eleven years since he'd felt this rush.
It had been eleven years since he'd given all of this up.
Not that he regretted it. No. He could never regret the decision he'd made all those years ago. He could never regret choosing Emma, choosing his happy ending. His life was everything he'd ever wanted it to be, everything he ever hoped it could be.
Waking up next to Emma every morning, waking up to her nose pressed gently into his neck, her body molded into his side, her breathing even as she slept peacefully without a care in the world … that was something he could never live without. As was the sound of Liam's laughter, the way Harper squealed 'Papa' as he tickled her sides, teaching Liam to play guitar, and singing Harper to sleep every evening. Each and every moment he'd spent with Emma, with Liam, with Harper was worth leaving the band.
Yet when Regina approached him several weeks ago with a request to join The Dashing Rapscallions in LA for a reunion show… Alas, there was a part of him that wished for nothing more. There was a part of him that could not deny that he missed performing, missed the rush of the crowd, missed singing his songs to a sold out arena. He may have given it up for the sake of his marriage, for his happy ending, but a part of him wanted to do this show.
Thankfully, Emma had been in full support of his return to the stage. In fact, he had barely been able to inform her of Regina's request before she'd rose onto her toes and pressed the curves of her body into his. She'd twisted her arms around his neck, while her lips stopped just inches from his own and insisted that he agree. To be quite honest, it had taken him a moment to remember what they had been speaking of after he'd lost himself to the sensation of his wife's body against his own.
Three weeks of late night rehearsals followed that day, three weeks of relearning the songs he used to know by heart, of reliving the life he used to love. A smile formed on his lips. Getting prepared for this show was like putting on his old pair of converses (both mentally and physically), it had been like no time had past since the last time he'd performed.
He lifted his gaze from the floor to his phone sitting on the couch by his guitar. Time most certainly had passed however. The past three weeks had been bloody amazing, except he missed his family. He missed his evenings home with Emma and the children, he missed family dinners, and bedtime stories. He had been excited to participate in the show, but he was more than ready to return to his life after this show was over.
The fact of the matter was, Killian Jones was no longer a rock star and he hadn't been for a very long time, which was likely the cause for his nervousness. Well, that, and the fact that Emma would not be able to attend the show as she had a late meeting for work. He'd hoped to at least speak with her before the show began, hoped to catch her as she returned home from work even if only to hear her wish him luck, but it didn't seem as though that would be occurring. Given the late hour, she was likely putting the children to bed and hadn't gotten the chance to call.
A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. Barely a second later, the door opened to reveal Regina Mills-Hood, dressed in her trademark black sheath dress and red heels, tapping lightly at the watch on her wrist.
"Time to go, Jones. Your adoring fans await you, as do the boys." She held the door open with her back and swept her hand through the air toward the hallway.
He stood quickly, one hand wrapping around the neck of his guitar and the other grabbing his phone, before making his way to her. "Aye. Many thanks for the escort, your majesty. Although, you could have just sent Scarlet to retrieve me."
She shook her head, eyes rolling. "We both know if I would have sent that idiot, neither of you would have made it to the stage on time."
He winked, shrugging his shoulders. "Aye, too true lass." He clicked the button the side of his phone, checking once more for a message from Emma and finding the screen blank.
He felt his heart sink. He shouldn't be disappointed, he knew she was contending with two children completely alone, but he was. Hearing her voice just once before the show would settle his nerves and he couldn't help but be a bit selfish in this moment.
Clicking the the button once more, the screen returned to black and his gaze rose to find Regina staring at him, her lips curled into a mischievous smile. He cocked his eyebrow and shoved his phone into the pocket of his black jeans. "Know something I do not, you majesty?"
Her smile grew wider as she shook her head. "I am just shocked that even after all these years you still can fit into those skinny jeans, Jones. The fangirls are going to love it."
The fingers of his free hand ran through his hair as he nodded his head. He was dressed in black skinny jeans, a black v-neck, black converses, and his black motorcycle jacket. The outfit had been Emma's idea, as it was strikingly similar to what he used to wear eleven years prior. He only wished she could have been here to see it.
Arriving to the green room where the rest of the band waited, Killian shook his head. He needed to focus on the show and stop pouting about Emma's lack of contact. He'd just have to speak to her after they'd finished up for the evening. Pulling his phone out one last time, he typed her a quick message before returning it to his pocket. His lips curled into a grin.
It was almost show time.
"Thank you so much for all of your help, Little John." Emma gave the head of security a thankful grin as she removed Harper from her hip to put her in in the seat in the front row. "There is no telling how long it would have taken to find our seats without you. I forgot how big this arena was."
John waved her off with a roll of his eyes. "Please, Emma, it is nothing. I don't trust the rest of the crew to get you here without it getting back to Killian and we both know you and Regina have worked too hard to keep your attendance a surprise."
Her eyes softened at the man she had known for a large chunk of her life. John Little, or Little John as he preferred to be called, had been apart of the band's security since the beginning. He'd slowly worked his way up and had been the head of security for the last five years. He was family, in the same way Robin, Smee, and Will were.
"Well I and the kids thank you." She laughed as she pointed to her children. Ever the protective older brother, Liam had taken the seat next to Harper and had his arm slung over her shoulders. Harper in turn was resting her head on Liam's shoulder as he used Emma's phone to play the 'Watch Disney Junior' app for his four-year-old sister. She could tell Harper was trying her best to ignore the loudness in the room as her tiny hand had come up to rest over the ear not on Liam's chest. Liam, on the other hand, was taking in his environment with wide eyes. It seemed as though he could not stop darting his eyes in every which direction to take in the thousands of people all around them.
Turning back to Little John, she cocked her head to the side. "Or at least they would say thank you if they were not so occupied with technology. I swear, it is all they care about any more. I mean here we are at a show for an internationally famous rock band where their father is going to play and they can't pull their faces away from the screen." She shook her head in exasperation.
John laughed, a full bodied sound that caused his stomach to shake with the force of it. "Kids these days." A voice sounded over the radio on his hip indicating the show was about to start. "Well, that's my cue lass. Enjoy the show. We'll catch up after, yeah?"
She nodded affirmatively before he'd turned and walked down aisle. After he was out of sight, her gaze turned to the stage in front of her and her heart skipped in her chest, a wistful smile on her lips. It had been so long since she'd been to a show. Being here reminded her of the beginnings of everything, of late nights on the tour bus as she tried to finish her degree, of sitting on the side of the stage and sneaking kisses between songs, of sight seeing in every city they visited. It reminded her of life before things got complicated and painful.
Not that things were still complicated or painful. No. In fact, they were the exact opposite. Her and Killian could not be happier. She had her happy ending and she could never regret the path they had taken to get it.
She shook her head and took in the room around her. The entire arena was abuzz with excitement for the show. It was crazy to think that a band that had been playing for almost twenty years was still able to sell out arenas, but The Dashing Rapscallions had no problem doing so. In fact, their last tour had sold out every show. Add to that the fact that Killian was returning for this show only and, well, it made sense. The media had been hounding Killian to do a reunion show since he quit the band and he'd always refused. That alone had made this particular show sell out.
"Mom?" Liam's voice had her abandoning her thoughts and turning toward him.
His dark hair was a mop on top of his head, his blue eyes trained on her form. Sometimes it was hard to believe he was not Killian's biologically, they looked so alike in so many ways. She also had a hard time believing that he'd turned eight this year. It seemed like just yesterday they had arrived home with him for the first time. The same applied to Harper as well, of course, who had just turned four.
"What's up, little man?" She asked and held in a giggle when Liam groaned in annoyance. He'd hit the stage where he hated being referred to as little, much to her and Killian's amusement.
"Dad just texted you." He handed her the phone before turning his attention back to Harper who was trying to hide behind her chair, likely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people in the room..
Taking her seat, she swiped her finger across the screen to open the text from Killian.
Getting ready to take the stage, my love. I had hoped to speak with you before the show began, alas it seems that was just wishful thinking. Give the children my love and I will call as soon as the show ends. I love you. Always and forever.
Shutting off the phone, she lifted her finger to swipe at a tear that had formed in her eye before those around her saw it. Some of them may actually recognize her and that was the last thing she wanted. Handing the phone back to Liam, she bit her bottom lip. She had hated lying to him for the last week, but she'd wanted this to be a surprise. When Killian had initially agreed to the show, she'd had a huge meeting for work that she had been unable to get out of which meant she'd be unable to attend. It sucked, but that was life. Then, a week ago, the meeting had to be rescheduled and instead of telling Killian she could go, she'd called Regina and secured three tickets for her and the kids as a surprise. She only hoped Killian would be as excited as she, Liam, and Harper were.
The lights in the arena began to dim and the people around her rushed to their seats. Harper let out a yelp and rushed into her lap causing Liam to roll his eyes and shake his head.
"What's the matter, Harps?" Emma asked her daughter as she burrowed in her chest. "Papa will be on soon, little love."
"Yeah!" Liam leaned over so his face was inches from his sisters. "Are you ready to see Papa, Harper? It won't be dark when he gets on stage." He ruffled his sister's hair gently.
Harper smiled, her brown eyes bright with anticipation as she reached out to boop her brother's nose. "Papa is going to take the darkness away, Li! I not scared anymore!" She turned and pressed her lips to Emma's cheek. "I okay momma! Li will pwotect me until Papa takes the darkness away."
Pulling away, Harper crawled out of her lap and over her brother to get back into her seat. Emma shook her head. Four-year-olds, they made no sense. Looking around, the arena was now pitch black and all of the fans in their seats. Her heart beat frantically, her legs bouncing in anticipation. Next to her, it seemed Liam was having the same reaction. He'd been looking forward to this all day.
Her gaze found the stage once more and she couldn't help the grin that took over her features. It had been over ten years since she'd seen her boys perform and now she got to see them again with her children. She couldn't wait to see the looks on Liam and Harper's faces as they watched their father perform the songs he sung to them every night. This was all she could have ever asked for when Killian agreed to do this, all she could have ever wanted.
Over the speaker, a single riff of a guitar sounded. It was one she knew well, one she heard coming from her own living room often.
Her hands came up to form a 'o' around her mouth as she screamed in excitement, her legs bouncing on the floor. She watched as Robin took the stage. Looking over, she laughed as she took in Harper and Liam's dropped jaws, their features full of awe and amazement. Next Smee came on waving to the crowd as the roared, he was followed closely by Will. Suddenly, the crowd got silent. Emma stood quickly, her eyes darting from one side of the stage to the other.
Then, he was there. The love of her life, her husband, her happy ending. Killian Jones had taken the stage as if he'd never left it.
Around her the crowd went wild once more, beside her Liam and Harper stood on their chairs with their arms in the air.
It was perfect.
The energy in the arena was incredible, it was exhilarating, it was infectious. From the moment he'd stepped out onto the stage the crowd had not stopped screaming, had not stopped shouting 'Jones' over and over. He may not be able to see the them well, but he could hear the pounding of their feet on the floor and it made his chest expand in satisfaction. This had always been his favorite part of being in a band, the fans and their love for his music, for the songs that he had written.
His hand wrapped around the microphone and pulled it toward his lips again, the words coming to him as if he'd been doing this every day for the last eleven years. He made his way to the left side of the stage and crouched down, his eyes met those of a young fan. Winking in her direction, he sang the last chorus of the song a grin forming as the lass jumped up and down from excitement.
Rising up, he returned to the center stage as Robin played the last notes of the song. His fingers tapped his own guitar lightly as he smiled out into the blackness of the arena. He shook his head gently. Bloody hell, he had missed this. This… this was bloody marvelous.
He stood there for a moment, the band silent behind him, before lifting his hands in the air. The crowd went wild and his smile widened even more. Slowly, he began to lower his hands and the crowd followed his lead until there was silence.
"Oi!" He could feel the grate on the microphone as he spoke into it. "It feels bloody amazing to be back here on this stage in this arena where it all bloody started!"
The crowd went wild again and he turned his head in Will's direction, shaking it as he pointed into the darkness.
"Do you see this Scarlett?" He turned back to the crowd. "It's almost as if they are excited to see me!"
The crowd screamed in agreement until he heard Will's voice through the amps. "Nah, mate. We both know they're here to see me pretty face."
Killian laughed and looked back out into the arena, the crowd once again chanting his last over and over. His hands rose in the air and they quickly quieted. "Irregardless of who you're here to see, I would like to thank each and every one of you for attending this very special performance." Pulling the microphone with him, he walked toward the right side of the stage. "It's been eleven bloody years since I've been on a stage and because of you, I feel like I never left!"
The crowd erupted once more, but it was a flash of gold in front of him the caught his attention. He would recognize that shade anywhere. But it couldn't be, she was... His eyes narrowed as he tried to decipher who was in front of him, but the darkness made it almost impossible to see. He stood, shaking his head for even considering it. It could be her, she was at home with the children. He made a step toward the center stage with the intention of introducing the the next song.
"PAPA!" His head whipped to the side, his heart beating rapidly, as a voice, one that he heard every day, caught his attention.
Harper. Harper was here, which meant...
His hand shook as he lifted the mic back to his lips. The crowd fell silent once more. "Light crew, if you would be so kind as to raise the house lights, seems I have some special guests this evening."
The lights in the arena came on and the crowd came into view, his eyes widening as he took in the sight in front of him. As he took in the sight of his children, of Harper and Liam, standing in the front row and next to them was none other than his wife, his Emma.
It felt like the air had been knocked from his chest. She was here. They were here. Harper stood on her chair, her tiny hands up in the air waving for his attention and he couldn't help the laugh that escaped his mouth. They had surprised him and it was everything he could have wanted. The crowd thankfully had remained silent throughout the exchange, no doubt wondering what the bloody hell was going on.
His hand rose to wave back to his daughter as he spoke into the mic once more. "Apologies for the delay. Seems my wife has decided to surprise me by showing up here today with our children in tow." His eyes met Emma's as she stood next to Liam who was grinning as well. "Hello, love." He winked in her direction and licked his lips. "Fancy seein you here."
Emma grinned, her cheeks going red as she waved back and the the fans erupted once more. "Oi! Hush you lot. I'd like to greet my children as well." They quieted and he nodded in Liam's direction. "Lad." His eyes fell to Harper with another nod. "Little love, enjoy the show." He winked and turned back to Emma.
She looked beautiful and for a moment he was speechless. He remembered his first shows, remembered stolen kisses, remembered late night study sessions on the bus, remembered her unwavering support in all that he did. His eyes caught hers and he placed his free hand over his heart, mouthing 'I love you' to her quickly. Her head tilted slightly, her hand rose to rest over her heart as she mouthed the words back to him.
With a nod, he turned back to the crowd and stuck his hand in the air. The lights lowered as if the crew knew he was ready to proceed. "Now, who's ready to get this bloody show started?"
He turned to Robin as the volume in the arena rose. He jerked his head in Emma's direction and Robin nodded in understanding. The notes to a song he wrote eleven years ago filled the room as he turned back toward fans.
"This next song is about second chances, it is about fighting for those you love, it is about happy endings and I'd like to dedicate it to my wife. Emma, without you…" He paused, the words catching in his throat as he turned his gaze back in Emma's direction. "Without you, I would be nothing. You're my happy ending and everyday I spend with you reminds me that it was all worth it. All of it, my love."
His lips pressed into the mic once more, his eyes fell closed as he lost himself to the music, lost himself once more to the memories of writing this particular song, of reconnecting with Emma, of singing this to her at their second wedding. This was her song, this was his song, this was their song.
His eyes opened to scan the darkness in front of him. A smirk formed as his skin tingled with the excitement of the crowd.
"This one is called 'Sometimes It Hurts." He whispered the words into the mic. "Enjoy."
Behind him, the band launched into the song and he spared in last glance in his family's direction. Just knowing they were there has settled every bit of nervousness he'd had, not that he was surprised.
His family was everything to him. Emma was everything to him. That had been true eleven years ago and it was still true today.
She was his future, they were his future and he would spend the rest of his life living that future out.
But first… he pressed the mic to his lips. His fingers strummed the guitar strings as the crowd began to scream the words they knew by heart. His tongue darted out to wet his lips.
First, he had a show to perform.
Thank you for reading! Please leave a review and let me know what you thought!