It was odd, she knew, to do yoga in the nude, but it was how she relaxed.
And Killian was still out with her father so there was no chance of him seeing her like this.
She was blasting music on her iPod, and so she didn't hear the bedroom door open.
Killian had come into the bedroom, and, failing to find Emma, he decided to take a hot shower, in hopes that it would calm him down. He was frustrated with David, and by extension, frustrated with how David made Emma feel as if she was wasting her life.
It was times like these when Killian did not miss having parents. He hadn't told Emma this, and he'd lied to Mr. Hopper, claiming he was estranged from his parents. The truth was, he had lost them when he was sixteen years old. He'd been forced to grow up at a young age, and he vowed that he would make something out of his life, to prove everyone that he could do just fine on his own.
It had been a lonely life, but Killian had been driven solely by his passion for his work, and he hadn't craved being close to anyone. Now that he was in Emma's family home though, he realized how much he had come to depend on Emma over the past five years.
She had breezed into his office for an interview fresh out of grad school. He'd only been editor in chief for a year, and he had felt an instant connection with her. After only a few minutes, he knew that he could depend on her. He had hired her on the spot. Now five years later, she was still tolerating him, and dare he say it? Perhaps she was beginning to feel something more for him. Everything had changed when they'd kissed.
He realized now that he hadn't truly believed he would ever fall in love, until he met Emma, and now he was falling hard and fast. It was strange how a fake engagement could change everything and bring feelings to the surface, feelings he hadn't even known he'd felt.
Killian rinsed the shampoo out of his hair and stepped out of the shower.
Only once he was out, did he realize that there were no towels.
"Bloody hell," he cursed.
-/-
Emma was still listening to her music as she rolled up her yoga mat and reentered the bedroom, with the intent of taking a shower. She wasn't watching where she was going and therefore received a nasty shock when she ran into a very solid, and very wet Killian Jones.
The two of them tumbled to the ground, and Emma screamed. "What the hell? Why are you wet?"
"Why are you naked," countered Killian, breathing a bit heavily, as he realized that her delightful form was pressed flush against him.
"I was doing yoga on the balcony—" said Emma, "Oh it doesn't matter. Get off of me, and don't look at me."
"If the lady insists," said Killian, rolling off of her and grabbing a towel from the cabinet.
Emma shuffled over to the bed and wrapped herself in a blanket.
Killian grinned as he looked her up and down. "I've never heard of anyone doing yoga in the nude before, darling, perhaps we could try it together sometime."
"Oh shut up," said Emma, throwing a pillow at him. "Get dressed. I'm going to take a shower. Nice tattoo by the way."
Killian's grin was practically splitting his face. "Ah, so you liked what you saw, love. I'm honored."
Emma sighed and ran into the bathroom. She had never felt so humiliated, yet oddly exhilarated, in her entire life.
-/-
Later that night Killian was on the floor, and Emma was in the bed. The tension was thick, thick enough that it was preventing either from falling asleep.
"So, so naked," said Killian, from the floor. He heard Emma sigh.
"Can we not talk about that, please?"
"I'm just saying," said Killian. After a moment he said, "So, Emma, what is the deal between you and your father?"
"That's not up for discussion," said Emma.
"We talked about you today. He made it seem like he did not approve of your career."
"He said something to you?" asked Emma.
"Yes. He said that I had better not break my promises to you, because if I did, you would have thrown your life away for nothing. You told him about your book then?"
"Yes. He wasn't very impressed. Look, I don't want to talk about this. Goodnight Killian."
The silence hung between them for several long moments, only pierced by the crackling of the fire.
"I rather enjoy watching the Amazing Race and Survivor."
"What?"
"I know it's silly but I quite enjoy the drama."
Emma said nothing, so Killian continued. "I took Disco lessons in the sixth grade. My first concert was Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock. I dislike flowers in the house or around the office because they remind me of funerals. I've never played a video game. I read Pride and Prejudice almost once a year. It was my mother's favorite book. I haven't slept with a woman in five years. And the compass tattoo. I got it when I was sixteen, after my parents died. I got it because I had to find my own way in the world. It's silly. I'm sure there are many other things that you'll need to know, but that's all I can come up with at the moment."
"You haven't slept with anyone in five years?" asked Emma.
"That's what you got from all of that?"
"Five years is a long time."
"I learned very early in my career that I didn't want dalliances to interfere with my job, so I stopped with it all together."
"So the whole Captain Innuendo thing is a façade?"
"You could say that," said Killian. "You seem rather shocked."
"I'm just processing," said Emma. "Who is Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock?"
"You know," said Killian, before he started to sing softly. "It takes two to make a thing go right. It takes two to make it outta sight."
Emma chuckled.
"What's so amusing, love?"
"Nothing. I know who they are, but I just wanted to hear you sing it."
"Clever, darling," said Killian. After another long moment he said, "Emma?"
"Yes?"
"Don't take this the wrong way, but you are a very, very beautiful woman."
Emma smiled and was glad that Killian couldn't see that she was blushing.
Before she could stop herself she began to sing, "It takes two to make a thing go right, it takes two to make it outta sight."
Killian started laughing. "Quite lovely, Swan. I could get used to you serenading me."
"Yeah, well—" said Emma, before trailing off. "Let's just go to sleep. Goodnight Killian."
"Goodnight, Emma."
-/-
Emma woke up before Killian the next morning. She rolled over and saw herself in the mirror on the bedside table. "Oh gosh," she said. Without really knowing why, she ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing out the tangles. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and put on a little bit of lip-gloss. For the final touch she pinched her cheeks to give them added color. She felt a little silly. She had never tried to look her best for Killian before. Now she suddenly cared. Maybe it was because he had called her beautiful.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Room service," said her mother cheerily, "I've got breakfast for the happy couple."
"Killian," she hissed.
"What is it love?" he grumbled.
"My mom is at the door. Get in bed."
Killian did so quickly and pulled her against his chest. "You look lovely this morning, Emma" he whispered.
Emma blushed and snuggled into Killian's chest. "Come in, mom."
Mary Margaret entered with a tray of cinnamon rolls and some coffee.
"You didn't have to go to all the trouble," said Killian, after thanking her.
Mary Margaret smiled brightly. "You're family now, Killian. It's no trouble at all."
Behind her, David knocked on the door. "Is there room for one more?"
Emma glanced at her father, and Killian tightened his arm around Emma instinctively. "Can we not do the whole charming family thing right now? Killian and I just woke up."
"Well your mother and I have a proposition for you," said David.
"We want you to get married here tomorrow," said Mary Margaret excitedly.
Emma shook her head. "What?"
"Well you two are going to get married anyway, so why don't you do it here, tomorrow, so we can all be together. That way Grandma Regina can be apart of it."
"It's Gammy's big birthday tomorrow night," said Killian. "It would be bad form for us to upstage the dear woman."
Then Gammy came in. "I've had eighty-nine birthdays. I really don't need another one. Besides, what better way to celebrate a birthday than to see my only grandchild get married to the man she loves? It would be a dream come true. So will you do it?"
Emma and Killian hesitated.
"Before I'm dead?" said Gammy, with a grin.
"Sure, Gammy," said Emma softly.
"Fantastic," said Gammy.
"And you two can get married in the barn just like we did," said Mary Margaret. "It's a Swan family tradition."
Emma smiled. It was true. She had always thought that she would get married at home.
"It's a sign from the universe that you two are meant to be together," said Gammy enthusiastically.
"Okay, well we will leave you two lovebirds alone. Gammy and I will get started on the preparations," said Mary Margaret.
Then she, David, and Gammy left the room.
Emma looked up at Killian. "So we're getting married."
"Yes, we are," said Killian, softly, stroking her hair.
"Tomorrow," said Emma, trying to keep her voice even.
"It will be just fine, love," he said, his lips grazing her temple.
Emma's heart fluttered at the contact. Tomorrow she would be Mrs. Emma Jones, and the idea wasn't completely terrifying. It actually seemed kind of nice.
Like it somehow felt right.