Jefferson

I waited in the store, looking at a few options. There are many choices that'll look perfect on Emma. I just hope it comes to her taste. After the gorgeous dress she wore at the last party, tells me the woman knows how to talk fashion.

It's three - fifty five. She's a little late. But I could bear it.

After a few more minutes, she arrived. She's dressed in a causal fashion, a simple gray turtle neck beneath a black vest, and a leather black jacket, and simple pair of jeans. Her hair is down, her curls still intact.

She rushed over to me. "Hi. I'm sorry I'm late."

"Not at all." I took her hand, and gave her a kiss on both cheeks.

She just looked up at me as I pulled away. "Is this how you novelist greet?"

"Odd, I know. Not as long as you prefer on the lips." Her eyes widened as I pulled her closer. But I stopped myself with a smile before our lips ever had the chance to touch. She slapped me lightly on the shoulder as I chuckled.

"Good one. Anyway, where should we start?"

"You are the lady. Go on and explore."

"Alright."

~ Emma looked around, scavenging a lines of hanged clothes. I searched a few options for her outfit next to her. I frankly like her causal style. It suits her just fine. Her blonde hair really brings out her lovely round eyes. And I just love it when she smiles. But she looks dreadfully exhausted, I could see the dark circles beneath her eyes and how she shakes her head couple times to wake herself. She must be a workaholic.

I placed a hand on her shoulder. "Emma, you alright?"

She looked up at me with those half awake eyes. "Yeah. I'm alright...You know what, I have a confession to make. I'm not exactly a fashion girl. I'm really ordinary when it comes to clothes."

"The dress you wore at the charity ceremony sure didn't look ordinary."

"My friend chose that for me. She has great taste in clothes. Anything that catches her eye, she won't hesitate to buy it."

"Perhaps I could invite your friend sometimes in these fashion alert situations."

Her expression suddenly changed. She shook her head. "No. No. No...No...No. Don't. If you shop with her, she won't be afraid about the numbers on the tag. Trust me, your wallet will be half empty when she picks just one outfit."

I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks for the tip. Okay. You don't know the fashion. That's okay. Because I know its language. So I'll choose the outfit for you. Just tell me what you want."

"Something simple and comfortable. And that doesn't really expose too much skin. Remember the last dress I wore? I felt so...cold and naked like a plucked chicken. I don't want to experience that again."

"Oh yeah. I never had the chance to take your dress to the laundry."

"Uh...Tha-that's okay. I already took it to the dry cleaner store. I recently picked it up two days ago."

"Oh. I wish I did."

She shook her head. "That's okay." She quickly added.

~ I soon found the perfect dress for Emma. I quickly wrapped my arm around her shoulders and led her to the fitting room. I opened one of the curtains.

"Step inside."

Once she did, she just looked at me in confusion. I handed her the dress.

"Try this on, and come out once your finished changing. "

She took a closer look at the dress. "Well, I like it. Especially the color."

"It's a cocktail dress."

Her eyes widened. "Wow. Um I don't do cocktail dresses.

I lifted my hands to protest. "Now. Don't back down yet. It's a Victoria Beckham style look. Look at the two separate colors - the white and blue. It's a simple, yet beautiful dress. First try it on, and I bet you'll like it more than me."

She opened her mouth to speak. But I quickly closed the curtain. "Just try it. I'll wait out here."

After a long moment, the curtain opened. I lifted my head. Emma looked stunning, just stunning. The dress is a white and blue color crossing together, the fabric lightly tight and the skirt touching against her knees. I walked to her side.

"Now can I kiss you. You look just perfect."

She smiled. "Alright. I guess I admit that this dress is pretty... okay."

"Well, this is the dress for you. Let's buy it."

She closed the curtain. "Alright. Give me a minute so I could change."

After she came out, I waited for her by the cashier. But something was missing.

"Where's the dress?"

Emma sighed. "You know what I forgot my wallet. Let's just go."

"Nonsense. I'll pay for it. Besides, I owe you after the stain I made on your other dress."

She gasped. "No. Jefferson, I don't want you to do that."

"It's on me. No guilt or apology is needed. Now bring the dress back. I made reservations for the two of us at a delightful restaurant for lunch."

~ We arrived to the restaurant. I could see Emma "awe" as the waiter escorted the two of us to our table. He took both our coats, and left.

"This place is beautiful."

"I sometimes come here when I run out of ideas in my book. Unfortunately, this place gives me fresh new ideas for my hats."

"How is your hat business?"

"It's not really a business, it's more like a hobby."

The waiter soon arrived. "What would like to start with, sir?"

"Perhaps, a cool bottle of champagne. And a bit of caviar."

The waiter gave him a quick nod. "Very good sir." He left the table.

"So what do you do for a living?"

She sighed. "I was afraid you were going to ask that. I work at a restaurant full time. I'm not going to tell you any further than that."

"What do you do?"

She placed a finger against her lips. "A secret. Just consider me as the mysterious girl you were recently acquainted with in your friend's party."

"If your describing yourself as Cinderella secretly attending the ball, I definitely agree."

She started to laugh. "You are quite a charmer, aren't you?"

"When it comes to a beautiful woman I'm interested in, then yes."

The waiter returned back to our table. He placed a large white plate on the table arranged with a few small roasted potatoes, stuffed elegantly with black caviar. He opened the bottle of champagne, and carefully poured the bottle on our glasses with a white towel. He then, placed the champagne in the ice bucket.

"Have you ordered anything yet, sir?"

"Give us a minute."

The waiter nodded and walked away.

Emma looked at the caviar with a frown. I couldn't help but smile by this reaction.

"You never tasted caviar, have you?"

She shook her head. "I'm not a vegetarian. But eating fish eggs is just too cruel to do."

"They are actually delicious. One of the reasons why I like this restaurant, is that they serve their food by the same way like other restaurants, yet embellish their taste-buds. Now, caviar is usually served by itself or with fine crackers or light pastries. However, eating with a potato really gives the advantage to savor the taste. And we need a bit of vodka for you. Usually, beginners should try eating caviar by itself, with a bit vodka while your chewing the delicate taste...Oh waiter."

She smiled at me. "You know the details quite well."

"Enjoy it. I'm a total nerd at everything."

The waiter walked up to us. "Yes, sir?"

"Bring us a fresh bottle of vodka, and two glasses."

"Of course, sir." The waiter walked away.

I picked up the menu. "I hope your hungry."

She picked up the menu, too. "Starving...Um the mushroom risotto sounds good."

"Good choice. I'll have the black pepper chicken with a side of buttered asparagus and a bit of mashed potatoes."

The waiter returned with the glass of vodka. He placed it beside Emma.

"Are you ready to order sir?"

"Yes we are. Ladies first."

Emma's lips curved into a smile. "Thanks. Um, I'll have the mushroom risotto."

The waiter scribbled down on his notepad. "Very good, miss. And you sir?"

"I'll have the black pepper with both the sides - mash potatoes and buttered asparagus."

The waiter scribbled down once more. "Alright. Your food will arrive soon." He took the menus from us, and walked away.

I scooted my chair a little closer. "Okay. I'm curious. And I was a little impatient to ask you."

"What is it? You can ask me anything."

I bit on my lower lip, and stopped myself for a moment. "This isn't exactly what most guys would ask you, especially on a date...But...um...Do you happen to like children?"

Emma's smile disappeared. I quickly added. "It was just a question."

"Jefferson, do you have children."

"Just one. I have a daughter, her name is Grace."

"Grace. What a beautiful name. What happen to your wife?"

"She passed away a long time ago...It's a long story."

Emma took my hand. "I'm sorry for your loss. I know what it's like to be a single parent."

I arched an eye brow. "You have a kid too?"

She slowly nodded. "I was going to tell you at the right time, but I guess right now is better to spit it out. I have a son. His name is Henry."

"How old is he?"

"Henry is turning twelve this year."

"My little Grace is a year younger."

"She must be a beautiful little girl."

"She is. She's my angel...You know, I don't want to pride. But what happen to your husband? Did he pass away?"

Emma took the champagne glass, and took a small sip. "Bae and I weren't legally married. But we had a kid together, so the two of us considered ourselves as husband and wife...He left me eight years ago. I hadn't heard from him ever since."

"I'm sorry."

"Thanks." She took another long sip of the champagne.

'Bae? The name seems so familiar, like I heard it before. But doesn't ring of bell to me.' The waiter soon arrived to our table with our meals. Emma released my hand. Even though she let go, I could still feel the warmth and the light weight of her delicate hand on mine. I thought playing fair and square with Killian will be fair. However, I'm more attracted to Emma then I expected.

The waiter carefully placed the plates down in front of us, and left the two of us to eat. The two of us started quite well. I'm relieved Emma is liking this place. I feared it'll be too much for her.

~ She closed her eyes, savoring the taste of the caviar. "You know what, this taste pretty good...But the image of little fishes are full in my head."

I couldn't help but chuckle at this response. "Take a sip of the vodka, while the caviar is still in your mouth."

She lifted the glass to her lips, and took a carefully sip. "This taste like cream, and vanilla. Delicious." She soon opened her eyes.

She picked up her spoon and started on her mushroom risotto. She took a bite. "This is really good."

"That's why I come here. I sometimes bring Grace here for special occasions."

"I never bring Henry in these type of places. I'm pretty busy lately, I don't spend much time with the little guy. I actually pity him all the time. I worry about him...His future. What his thinking about every night, and day. It's a real challenge being a single mom."

"I know. I'm on the same page as you. I'll probably be worried sick when Grace becomes an adult. Parents say young children are more difficult, however, when they're older, that's when the real fear starts for parents. Adults have the advantage to overpower their life. That advantage usually gets overhand, and you don't watch over them anymore either. So all you could do is let go of them, and see how they do on their own."

She suddenly lifted her spoon in front of me. "Taste this, and tell me you're not in heaven."

I leaned closer and took a taste. "That is indeed, delicious."

~ After the two of us finished our meals, its dessert time.

Emma leaned back on her chair. "I'm so stuffed. Thank you for lunch. It was delicious."

"Your welcome. But I hope your stomach have some room for dessert."

"It probably doesn't. But I am craving for something sweet. What's on the menu?"

"Oh no. I made it myself...Oh waiter."

Emma folded her hands together. "You made your own dessert for me. How sweet. Thank you."

The waiter arrived back to our table, and handed the bill to me. "Your bill sir."

"Can you bring the package I arranged?"

The waiter nodded, and walked away. Emma looked at the bill.

"Don't worry. I got it."

"Jefferson, how much do you have to pay? I always feel guilty when someone pays other than me."

"It's fine."

The waiter soon arrived with a pink box, he carefully placed it down on the table.

"Can you also bring us extra plates and a knife?"

"Of course, sir." The waiter walked away, back to the kitchen.

Emma took the box. "Wow. It's cold. Is it a ice cream cake?" She opened the pink box. She gasped with satisfaction.

"This looks delicious. Two giant chocolate chip cookies with a thick layer vanilla ice cream in the middle. Boy, you know me well. I am so kicking in for this ice cream sandwich."

"My daughter suggested it. I thought if we have leftovers, you can take some for your son."

"That's so thoughtful. Thanks."

The waiter returned back to our table. He placed fresh plates on the table, and handed the knife to me. I quickly removed my wallet, and took out a credit card. I placed the credit card in the black bill folder, and handed it to the waiter.

"Thank you, sir."

I sliced the ice cream sandwich in half.

"Give me a small slice. My stomach is too full with the caviar and the mushroom risotto."

I sliced a small piece for Emma, and placed it on her plate. I sliced a piece for myself, and placed it on my plate. I watched Emma take the first bite.

"This. Is. The. Bomb."

I grinned. A bit of vanilla ice cream is smeared on her chin. I reached my hand to her face, and rubbed it off with the finger tip of my thumb. Emma froze by this gesture.

"You just had something on your chin."

"Thanks."

I placed my hand back down. "Do you mind if I ask you how old you are?"

Emma rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh goody. I'm probably older than you."

"I'm turning 30 this year."

"Oh. Well I'm the winner. I'm five years older than you."

"Thirty five is still a young age."

"Thirty four. Going to five next Friday." She took another bite of the dessert.

"You doing anything special."

She shook her head, and placed her fork down. "No. Ever since Bae left, I celebrate alone with my son. Sometimes I sneak to a bakery, and celebrate with just a cupcake and a candle. I really don't see the need to celebrate birthdays. I hate it. It's the day your born, and it tells you that you are growing old. And it never stops. Even when you're dead, the number still continues unstoppably... I sometimes visit my parents for the day. The only reason Henry loves visiting his grandparents is that they feed him better food. I'm a terrible cook. So, I usually buy him takeout food, or something easy, like cereal and mac n' cheese."

"Well, I'm a geek in everything. Including cooking. But there are times my Grace wants to mess me up when I cook. She calls me the Mad Hatter. The perfectionist who always turns everything right and perfect, especially hats."

Emma took a sip of the glass of vodka. "I would love to meet her sometimes...Well, I mean, maybe when the time is right. I wouldn't want your daughter to think of me as another woman who might take her mother's place. I know my son is uncomfortable with me being with other men. He still misses his father."

I took her hand. "I actually discuss this with Grace. She's actually quite excited about possibly having a new mother. She doesn't really remember the times she spent with my wife. But at the same time, I think time will be wise to consider."

Emma placed her glass down. "Well, let's get out of here. I can't eat another bite of this. Maybe we could ask for a to go box, so I could slice the cake in half for you to take for your daughter."

"Yeah. Waiter."

"Yes?" Emma and I both were startled. We had no idea the waiter was still standing by the table.

"I thought you two might need something else. So I stayed. I'll be right back with the to go box you asked for." The waiter turned around, and walked back to the kitchen once more.

The two of us let out a long laugh.

"That guy deserves a little more cash for his tip." Emma requested.

"I'll remember that."

The waiter soon arrived back to the table. "Have a good day, sir. Miss." He had our coats on his arm.

I sliced the leftover portion of the large amount of cake in half, and placed the other half in the to go box. The waiter handed our coats to us. I handed the to go box to Emma. I first slipped a twenty dollar bill in the waiter's apron pocket before the two of us headed out the exit.

~ "I had a wonderful time. I hope to see you again tonight at the party. So can you tell me the address where Killian's ship is."

"I was planning for the two of us to go together. If that's alright?"

"That's fine. Besides, I'm not exactly thrilled about seeing Killian again...Well, I better go."

"Good - bye, Emma."

"Good - bye, Jefferson."

I couldn't help it. I pulled her closer, and gave a short embrace.

"Good - bye," I whispered in her ear. After a short moment, the two of us parted ways. I watched her turn away and walked her way down to the sidewalk .'Killian, I'm sorry my friend. But this challenge will be difficult for you. Sorry again. Deeply apologize, but this girl belongs with me.'

Hey guys. I know this is long But since I didn't update for long I thought it might be nice to update a long chapter. I'm aware that this chapter is mostly about Jefferson and Emma bonding even closer. But remember, this is a Emma/Killian story, and I'm going to put it that way. I need to show that its not going to be easy for Emma to choose between Killian and Jefferson. By the way, check out on the link I made below. It's the dress Emma is going to wear for Killian's party. I know it's a little simple, but remember I want to express her personality. Enjoy guys, you all rock!

2012/03/jennifer-morrison-at-michigan-avenue-celeb ration/

If the link doesn't work then you could see the link updated on my author's profile. That's what I did to my other story. But it'll take a whole day for it to be official. So be patient. See you.