Hope you enjoy this!
I tried to get back to everyone who left a review - sorry if I missed you by chance.
Thank you to all followers and everyone who left reviews :)
Chapter 18
Emma's day was pretty horrible.
Well not all of it – all credits to Killian waking her up with his head between her legs.
But since then, she'd gone to Starbucks and learned from an irate Mulan that they were closing it down since apparently the location wasn't much profitable due to its poor management. Emma did remember Mulan complaining about her manager, but things were so out of control she had no idea.
She felt bad for her friend and also cause this was the place she'd first met Killian – or rather cursed at him and walked out.
Then there was the matter of her getting a call by Kathryn Abigail, one of the most caring lawyers in the city whose practice helped families find justice – parents finding their kids that the government had taken away from them, dealing with sexual assaults in the workplace and those sort of things. Emma was offered to be a partner in the firm – one of the four senior lawyers.
Emma loved her job at Jones Consolidated – David being her amazing mentor and friend, Liam being a kind and caring boss. And now Killian, oh god Killian.
But being in the system for most of her life and being mistreated along with others, she really wanted to make a difference somehow. By working for Jones Consolidated she was helping out the Jones's brothers make a lot of money and the company to flourish. Sure, the company did a lot of humanitarian work with generous money being donated to charities, but working in a place where they primarily and directly deal with the injustice and mistreatment some people face; she would be honored really.
She didn't want to leave Killian and David though.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emma's sipping her coffee and waiting on an e-mail back from a client when her thoughts run back to where they finally usually do: Killian.
There's something to be said about finally admitting to yourself that you're in love.
She almost blurts it out, the three words on the tip of her tongue when he wraps her in his towel as she makes her way out of the shower stall smelling like strawberry's as she bought a shower gel and other toiletries to leave at his place. She almost spills the words when he passes her the newspaper as they eat breakfast, when his fingers draw small circles on her thigh as he drives her to the Starbucks. And finally when he tucks a strand of her hair back and kisses her cheek as he drives to the office, flashing her the sweet smile that is only reserved for her.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Around mid-day she was summoned by Killian as he wanted to give her a proper goodbye – a deep passionate kiss and a little something on her neck to remember him by which Emma had to cover up with her foundation before leaving his office.
"Swan, I'll be back in a week, I promise" he whispers against her forehead as she had wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. She hates being clingy but damn it she doesn't want him to go. She knows she 's being ridiculous – of course Killian will have to go to these business trips, he's the freaking CEO of the company.
But she'll miss her boyfriend.
"When do you have to leave?" she asks him, bringing her head up and digging her chin on his chest as she looks up at him, his arms tight on her waist.
"In half an hour I'll leave for the airport" he replies, his gaze raking all over her face as if to memorize the apples of her cheeks, her crinkling eyes, red lips, and the little dimple on her chin he loves to kiss.
"I wanted to tell you that I got a job offer this morning. By Kathryn Abigail's practice – they're offering me a senior lawyer position" she informs him, watching his face fall for a brief moment before he twitches his eyebrows together.
"Would you want to work there, love?"
"I've agreed to meet them for a drink this evening" she tells him, "But honestly, Killian, I want to. If by doing this, I can help people who are in similar situations as I was, I would love it" she says, a smile curving her lips at the thought and he smiles back.
"If it's going to bring you happiness, love, and if it's what you wish to accomplish, you must!" he smiles, "You have to do what makes you happy"
She presses a little kiss to his chin. She didn't know why she was nervous. It was her own decision whether she wanted this job or not – not Killian's nor David's or anyone else's. But knowing that he supports her, and her dreams, she couldn't be happier.
"Does doing this make you happy?" she asks.
He smirks, "Oh doing this makes me the happiest man in all realms" he says and lowers until he catches her lips with his own – his tongue sweeping in briefly making her moan as one of his hands finds her breast and lightly flickers over her hardened peak.
Emma giggles once they separate, "Oh god Killian! I meant your job!"
"Aye, Swan" he chuckles, "I really didn't want to do it at first being content wasting myself in rum and the company of women" he cocks an eyebrow at her as she narrows her eyes on the mention of women company.
She mockingly rolls her eyes and he continues, "But Liam really needed me. He wanted to spend his life with Elsa and their child but didn't want to see the company he started from scratch go to waste or to someone else"
He takes a deep breath, "I owe him everything Emma, he hasn't only just fulfilled his role as a brother, but he never made me feel like an orphan. The least I could do was help him out when he really needed me. So yes, I was dreading it at first because I was really not interested and doing it out of love for my brother – but after meeting a certain blond lass and actually enjoying some parts of the job I'd say I'm happy"
"Good" Emma replies, running her hand over his chest.
Killian's phone rings and after looking at the screen, curses and cuts the call.
"Who is it?" Emma asks.
"Shira. She's been calling me all bloody day. Her father is on the brink of bankruptcy and she wants me to save them by partnering up. But there's no profit there and his father is an untrustworthy fellow – I'm still skeptical about our new arrangement"
"Isn't there any way we can help her?"
"Unfortunately no. She's hell bent on finding herself a rich suitor so maybe the publicity and the person's interest in her might end up saving the company. Their reputation of being strong and successful is still the norm in the market but not for too long unless she figures out a way"
Emma nods. It happens – sometimes business owners get too cocky and careless and end up ruining everything they ever worked hard for.
"Also, love, if you take the job it would be easier for us" he winks.
"Ya, I thought about that too. You wouldn't be my boss anymore so it'd be fine" she mutters, not surprised at all how she wants everyone to know about them. For one, it'll keep other women away from him as he's hers, and also as hot as the sneaking around is, she wants to be able to hold his hand and kiss him in public and just do normal couple-y things that for now they have to do in secret.
"We'll talk about this once I come back? Whether or not you decide to take the job offer and about how to finally tell the world I'm yours?" he grins slightly, a little crease on his forehead as he isn't sure whether claiming him as hers is what Emma really wants to hears.
"And I'm yours" she says softly.
"Aye" he smiles widely and kisses her again, a little longer this time as he tries to etch the feel of her lips in his memory to accompany his thoughts at night when he's all alone.
"Sir, the car is ready" Smee's voice interrupts them as he speaks through the door. Seems like he knows not to disturb when the two of them are inside alone.
Emma sighs and Killian smiles a little sadly. He gathers his laptop bag as she asks him the basic questions: Got your passport? Wallet? Tickets?
"From tickets I remember – I booked our tickets for Ireland. Smee shall e-mail them to you" he extends an arm towards her and she takes a step forward allowing him to embrace her one last time before he leaves.
Its just a week Emma get a grip! Emma scolds herself. She bits her lips as she really just wants to muster the three words but she can't because she knows saying it out loud will make it real and they're just so perfect and happy in their little bubble right now. But she loves him.
Killian separates and smiles at her brightly, he wants to tell her that he loves her. He knows she does too and that if he mutters the words right now, she'll reciprocate them. But he stops himself – he'll let her tell him in her own time.
There's a little uneasiness in his gut and a little voice in his head that keeps telling him to tell her before it's too late and he opens his mouth –
"I'll miss you Swan" and he means I love you.
"I'll miss you too" she whispers, and means I love you too.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emma meets with Kathryn and quite frankly she's floored. Kathryn explained her the type of cases they get, their victories, setbacks, everything and with every word Emma grew closer and closer to accepting the job.
She told them she'll let them know within the week but she knows her answer is a definite yes.
She receives Killian's Landed safely, love text while she drives back to her house and she replies back,
I'm glad. Have fun J
How can I without you here? L
You're so dramatic. Talk to you later, I'm driving
J
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The next day Emma feels gloomy. For starters she had to sleep alone in her bed, without even a goodnight from him as once she'd called him later at night, his cell couldn't be reached.
Waiting for her coffee and chatting with Mulan seemed dull as well since the woman was sad about her job. Walking in the office, she exchanged pleasantries with her colleagues but missed sneaking into his room for "an important and personal legal matter of Killian" and making out furiously on his table, couch, and anywhere really.
She calls him again but finds it switched off, irritation blooming in her chest at the lack of contact. Finally she receives a text from him,
Sorry my love, the oil refinery is in a bit of a secluded area and there's a heavy snow warning for a couple of days so the network is not so great for the time being.
It's okay! Just be safe J
She grabs lunch with David as usual, and Mary Margaret joins them this time. She tells them about the new job offer and they expressed how happy they are for her – finally being with someone she really cares about and now finding a job she might just love. Emma thanks the heavens (or whatever) for sending these two angels in her life who've stuck with her and taken care of her through everything; they brightened her mood instantly.
But it wasn't until she was tucked in her bed, all alone with her laptop, watching How to Get Away with Murder (they watch Lost together and Killian gets all dramatically upset if she watches without him) when she gets an incoming call from Killian. She sits up instantly and switches the lights on, not giving a single shit about her messy bun and make-up free face (not that Killian hasn't seen her this way before). She accepts the call and smiles brightly once Killian's face shows up on her screen – he's in his pajamas and there is a bottle of rum in his hand.
"Woah you're drinking?" she asks, nodding towards his bottle.
"Aye, they gifted it to me. And it's so bloody cold in here" he complains, "But it's really beautiful. You should have come Swan, so much snow"
Emma has a sudden flash of her and Killian snowball fighting like little kids and then finally snuggling near a fireplace as they make hot sweaty slow love all night long.
She shudders as heat pools down her belly and she blinks a couple of time. Of course Killian catches the look and his next question makes her eyebrows shoot a mile high and her underwear to definitely get very damp.
"What are you wearing, darling?" he winks at her and lines his lower lip with his tongue and what an ass he knows how Emma feels about this little quirk of his!
Smiling wickedly at herself she decides, two can play at this game, "Just this tank top and panties"
She chuckles as this time Killian's eyebrows shoot up and he freezes for a second, gulping his rum down finally.
"Bloody hell Swan" he curses, his voice pained, "Do you know what you do to me? Are you wearing a bra?"
"Nope" she answers, and watches as his gaze rests on her chest and as if on notice, her peaks harden and strain against the light fabric of her shirt.
"Can you take it off?" he asks, such sincerity in his voice as if he's not just planning to have Skype-sex, really how horny are we?
"Tit for tat" she says and no its not a pun. She grins as he takes his shirt off in one motion and she tugs at the hem of her tank top, taking her sweet time taking it off and feeling so powerful as she sees his mouth agape and his eyes roaming over her body.
"Show me just how much you miss me Killian" Emma tilts her head and he copies the motion, "Back at you Swan"
She ends up sleeping all sated, and flushed, and in love, as she mentally counts down the days till his return so she can finally tell him just how she really feels about him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Next morning is much better since she got to be with Killian even if he wasn't physically there. He still made her come with his voice and his own grunts and moans – the man really had a sexy voice.
Also, there was one less day left until she can see him again.
For once in her life Emma doesn't feel alone at all. She's got her amazing friends, a god job (and now maybe a better one), and Killian. And as Smee e-mails her the tickets to Ireland, maybe a family as well.
She doesn't go to Starbucks in the morning as there was an unpleasant feeling in her stomach and coffee would probably just make it worse.
As she pushes the glass doors open, she feels a rush of déjà vu but quickly realizes she has seen the exact same scene before. Her co-workers are all huddled together at a desk and are talking in hushed voices but they all look angry this time.
Another Shira and Killian link-up story. Great.
"What's up now?" Emma smiles, keeping her voice as bright as possible.
They all snap their heads towards her but not a single person answers her question – they all stare at her, some angry and some disgusted.
"What?" Emma asks, her cheeks burning red from the intense staring and the quite awkward silence, "What is it?"
"Haven't you seen the news today Mrs. Jones" Janice sneers, her stare dead cold.
Suddenly Emma feels as if she has been hit by a bus. That would probably be a better scenario then having about fifteen pair of eyes all staring at her as if she is the one responsible for not having a FRIENDS reunion.
Emma's eyes land to the magazine that is almost crumpled in Janice's hands and she stalks towards them, snatching the magazine away from them and turns around to hide her horrified expression.
This time TMZ published pictures of her and Killian. A dozen of them – them having lunch with Belle, dancing in Ireland, at the restaurant where Killian took her out to their first date, them strolling in the park with an arm curled around the other's waist, more restaurants and finally of Killian kissing her with his arms enveloping her so tightly (really it looks hot as if it is out of a movie) when he left to go to Alberta in his office. How the hell do they have a shot of his office?
Her eyebrows furrow and she really doesn't know what to do. She's angry, oh definitely, at herself and Killian and TMZ and her stupid colleagues for reacting this way. But much more she's curious as to who slipped? Mr. Smee?
She knew she had to turn around, to face whatever the fuck these people will say to her. But she wasn't going to cry or anything – Emma Swan is stronger than that and can take on a few ill-mannered and bitchy comments. Her and Killian's relationship is out, not in the most ideal way possible (worst case scenario actually) but now that it's out, she's gonna deal with this.
Nothing breaks Emma Swan (except her past which she is now slowly learning to leave it there and take steps into the future with Killian to share it with).
"Well this was expected from you" a man beside Janice laughs, "After all you are apparently a criminal"
Emma snapped her head towards him, all the blood rushing out of her body cause no oh god please no.
But as she turns to the next page, she sees half the page covered with her mug-shot of when she was eighteen. The description below reads, Emma Swan is not only a poor clichéd having a scandalous affair with her boss for a promotion and higher salary – but seems like she is an evicted felon! At the young age of eighteen, Emma was thrown in jail for stealing some very expensive watches along with her boyfriend who fled and abandoned her. The best part – Emma was three weeks pregnant with his baby whom she didn't even look at once she delivered him, as told my one of the guards at the jail.
Emma felt her fingers crush the magazine with barely suppressed anger and frustration. She could hear the insulting comments of her colleagues behind her, a mixture of: I didn't know you were such a slut Emma; Oh my god you're a criminal; So since when have you been whoring yourself to Killian?; Oh is it a dom and sub thing?; Does he pay you in cash right after or has he increased your pay stub?; How could you abandon your baby?
How could you abandon your baby?
How could you abandon your baby?
Abandon your baby
That's the only one that really hits Emma home – the others hurt, sure they do but that one just burns her eyes with tears she's fighting the hardest to hold back.
She hears ruffles of chatter behind her as she hears Barry and the old stern woman in the company, yelling at the employees for behaving like middle school kids and to mind their own business.
She feels Barry's hand on her upper arm but she shrugs it away and runs. She sits in her bug and drives and drives and drives until she reaches an abandoned lot and straightens the magazine. She reads the entire thing – then re-reads it.
For the relationship with Killian she has been painted as a complete slut who is sleeping with him for money and a promotion. It hurts like a bitch, but what destroys her is her past, something she is so insecure and private about printed in this magazine for everyone in the world to read about.
Emma punches her steering wheel until her knuckles bleed and she lets the tears flow.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
She marches to Walmart, grabbing some meds and a gauge to fix her knuckles and she waits in line behind a couple of customers. She can hear slight whispering in front of her as a couple of teenagers are looking down at a magazine and then back at her. Before Emma can react one of them speaks, "Are you this chick?"
Everyone in that line turns to look at her and some even laugh or ask to take pictures with her. Emma throws the stuff and sprints outside to her car.
She rests her head on the steering wheel and her entire past with the one question she suspects everyone is asking How could you abandon your baby? keeps replaying in her head in a loop, and she suddenly hates Killian Jones for ever coming in her life.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx0000xxxxxxx
Hahaha yes yes yes finally some angst!
The entire "coming out to the public" thing is loosely inspired by Can you keep a secret by Sophie Kinsella.
Leave reviews? Pretty please :)