Emma

I swallowed hard. What's the purpose out of all this? Is Killian crazy or what? Why is he coming back to me when he's lucky to know about what I am sooner before it was too late?

Killian gave me a look, signaling me to move. But I just can't. I know that once I step out that door, things will change and he'll just try to grow attached to me differently this time...I care for Killian. I'm a mother. A worker/a past time high school runaway. I don't want any of those labels to add up anymore.

"Emma, for the last time, are you going to get out of this room or not?"

I shook my head. "I don't want to. I wore the bikini for you. Now do me a favor, get out and shut the door."

He leaned against the edge of the wall, his arms crossed to his chest. "And I thought you were dying to get out of this room. What changed your mind?"

I shrugged. "I just...I'm just not a morning person, that's all."

"You should stretch your legs a bit and get some color on that pale skin of yours. What do you say, beautiful?"

I winced at that new nickname he made up for me. He never called me anything like that before. "What's with you calling me 'beautiful'?"

"Because I can't deny that you are, so I might as well call you by something that's part of your best features. Beautiful." He curved his lips to that dark treasure cat smile again.

"Killian, please –"

He dropped his arms and walked toward me again. He took both my cold hands and held them tight to his warm ones. I shivered by his touch, but never felt so good by such warmth.

"Emma, you don't seem to realize why I'm urging you to get your butt up there to your son."

"Of course, I do. You just want to play this little game to get back at me, and then later hope to get me back. Killian, really be rational about all this. You are dealing with a woman who has a child and a sick husband who's God knows where he's been and –"

His eyebrows instantly cringed to the middle of his temple. Oops. Argh me and my big mouth! "Husband? Did you already know he was in New York?"

I frowned. "Did you?"

"I asked you first. Are you contacting him? Or have you possibly been contacting him all this time?"

"What?! Of course not. I hadn't seen Bae for years. It was overwhelming for him to come to the hospital and see me in person...I'm actually not fully recovered after that."

"But what's up with you calling him your husband, you two aren't even legally married. I imagined a cheap drive thru or a cheesy five minute wedding in Las Vegas. But husband, I don't understand how you could call him that. I mean come on, Emma, the person who married you off might have been some druggie or a crazy bozo who makes a living by marrying off drunk couples and continues to live under their parents' house till the day they die." I'm bewildered by his tone of voice, and also more confused why he's so angry and...Jealous? What happened to what he said to me at the hospital? I thought he was mad at me. I thought that was the moment I had to let my feelings go and just move on.

"Okay, listen. I may not had a one big wedding with a priest I randomly contacted for, but he is still the father of my child whether I like it or not. And to be quite frank, if you're going to be all nasty about it, go ahead and blow some steam at my uterus for getting pregnant in my twenties."

I yanked my hands off his grasp and pushed him out the door. Killian lifted his hands in surrender and walked backwards as I pushed him with all my might to the door.

"Emma, I'm sorry. That was terribly rude of me."

"You should have thought about that three seconds ago, asshole."

He grinned. "Hey, remember the rules. We got a kid up there eating some homemade pizza and pasta peacefully...In fact, speaking of pizza, a little birdie told me that it's something you used to eat every morning when you could in the past."

I bit my lower lip hard. Oh Henry, what else have you told this man? "Well, once I get you out, tell that little birdie he is in so much trouble when we get home."

The smile disappeared from his lips and his arms quickly scooped me up. I nearly screamed in the top of my lungs that can make Beethoven to hear again.

"Put me down, Killian! This is not funny!"

He laughed that made me want to tear his face into pieces. "Oh yes, this is pretty damn funny." He rushed over to the bed and tossed me on it not so gently. I landed straight on my back, my hair draping my face. Before I tried to get up, Killian crawled on top of me and pinned my arms straight down above my head. I tried to kick my legs, but his weight was on top of them.

He released one of my arms and pinned both of the with his free forearm. His hands brushed my hair off my face and tucked them in my ears. "Okay. Before you scream any further and attack me like a wild animal, I'll explain to you as you wish why I want you to get up on that deck."

"Finally, you're listening to me."

He looked at me seriously that frightened me a bit. That look reminds me the time he made back at the hospital...

"Emma, I'm not exactly doing this just for you. It's for your son too. I know you been on your own, and tried your best to raise both you and your son. But then again, you admitted that now it is impossible to do that."

"I never admitted that. I love Henry."

"I know that. But then why would you come to me and Jefferson? Why would you starve yourself and ignore your health? Why would you even bother to get up every morning to get to work when you already know it can hardly afford your bills? Huh? Explain to me if that isn't the case."

I opened my mouth to speak again, but closed it. I know he's right. I already knew that from the start...But I always thought I'll end up giving up on Henry if I ever think about asking someone for support, and the last thing I could ever bear is weakness. So I just acted like all those obstacles were invisible and hoped they'll somehow turn around, even though they never did.

His hands stroked my hair softly. "You see, Emma you need help. Sometimes many of us believe that asking for something is a sign of failure. You personally, are one of them. But you know what, it's okay to stop and look for help. There is nothing wrong turning to a friend to someone you're close with for help, then later move on with your life on your own. I can provide anything you need. I promise."

I laughed in bitterness. "Yeah, and in the end I'll end up being called a gold digger, a freak'n bimbo who got herself a man to take care of her and her own child. And then before you know it, Henry will be placed in that position like me also. So no thank you, I cannot – no, let me clarify that, I will not accept any of your help. So I hope Henry enjoys himself here, because once we get home, you're not going to see us anymore."

"Don't be so sure of that. Hasn't anyone ever told you to never question something before ever thinking about opening the box?"

I sighed through my nostrils and pounded the back of my head hard against the mattress. "Stop fooling around, Killian. I don't want to hurt you or Henry anymore. I already hurt you two enough. So if this is all a lie, and just a way to get an apology, fine. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being such a fool to think that things will go my way once I get a wealthy man. I'm sorry for only thinking of my son and nearly killed myself a few days ago. I'm sorry for getting you involved in my life. But you know what, all those things that happened may be remembered, but it doesn't have to continue. I already have so many mistakes on my plate; I doubt it'll hold anymore if you don't drop your anchor soon. So please, Killian stop telling yourself that you can make a difference for us. Because once you do, it'll make it difficult for the two of us to let go."

He curved a evil sneer and smoothed his palm straight to my face. "So you still do feel something for me? Ah Emma, you are a feisty woman but one thing that you can't do is lie."

"Killian! Enough!"

He chuckled. "Enough? What do you mean?"

"Killian."

"Emma, relax."

"Relax?!"

"Oh now, your face is growing red. Are you just embarrassed because you admit you still love me or is it from your fired up anger."

"Killian, you are seriously ticking me off. Now will you –"

He suddenly pressed his chest against me and his face leaned closer to mine. He brightened in amusement of how speechless I became.

"Say what you have to say." His breath blew against my face. His lips almost touching mine.

I can feel my nerves tensing and my body trembling. I pressed my body as hard as I could against the mattress, hoping to sink myself down and separate from him a bit.

"Well, if you don't have anything else to say, how about you finally get up in the dock?"

Like I have a choice.

~ The afternoon was quite pleasant. After a fabulous Italian lunch, I laid back with my legs stretched out on a bench with black shades while I watched Henry and Killian controlling the sterling wheel, both wearing matched sailor hats.

I felt a little confident and slowly stopped covering myself with my arms. But I caught Henry looking at me couple times with concerned eyes. It breaks my heart that my appearance hurts him.

It got really chilly after a while. Killian decided to end my punishment and brought me some spare clothes he packed from my apartment. I just changed right there, not bothering to go to another room. I slipped into my thin layered black sweats and a soft light beige knitted sweat shirt that has a open collar that exposed my bare shoulders.

Killian pressed the engine to auto pilot. He pulled out two blankets and covered it around Henry's shoulders. He walked over to me and unfolded the blanket.

"What about you? Aren't you cold?"

"I'll be fine." He draped the blanket around my shoulders and smoothed his hands to my shoulders and then up to my neck. I looked at him with soft eyes has his palms pressed gently on my neck between some of my hair. He looked quickly back at Henry and then back at me.

"Beige is a lovely color on you. It goes well with your hair." He leaned in and pressed his lips on my forehead.

I closed my eyes by the warmth of his lips. He slowly released the kiss and dropped his hands. I felt a little disappointed, but I still composed myself to hide it.

I cleared my throat. "S-so what's for dinner? It's almost going to be six. And I bet my son is hungry by now."

"Well, since I have to take us back home by dawn, how about I head back and stop by at a fine restaurant."

"A restaurant? Okay."

He turned his head and looked at Henry. He stood by the edge of the dock, standing on the bars and spreading his arms out while blowing on that ridiculous bubble making pipe. "I love that kid. I just love being around with that little guy."

My eyes remained on his face. The softness of content and care in his eyes just blew me away. I always thought of Killian as a bad ass player that I should be staying away from. But I truly underestimated this man, he's none of the things I thought of, and he's nothing like I hoped he would be, he's more than anything I expect from a man.

"Me too. That's an exception I agree on."

~ Killian pulled the ship over to a small town. It was beautiful looking at the lights in the dark and the music starting from restaurants and small clubs nearby.

Unfortunately, before I got off the boat, Killian and Henry prepared another outfit for me this evening. Ugh, those little rascals!

They chose a long smooth thin layer dress that's completely white with black zig zags patterned in every corner of the fabric. My jaw felt like it was going to drop on the floor when I saw how the straps are a inch short and on the side of the skirt is cut up to a thigh length.

I am thankful of the cold weather tonight. Because when I slipped the dress on, Killian allowed me to wear my beige sweat shirt. At least he's generous enough with that and avoided the idea of getting me any crazy high heels, except for the part when I'm flashing off my legs in public with my son right next to me! I have to actually clutch onto the skirt to cover my legs.

Killian took us to a sea food restaurant. Henry never had sea food before, so I was a little concerned that he might be allergic to the food. But after our food was served, he seemed fine when he started on his plate.

Oh lord! The crab and shrimp are amazing! Although, the three of us are enjoying the food, our hands and face are covered in juice and leftover hard skin from the crabs and shrimp.

The waitress came by and placed down another plate full of corn on a cob, I instantly grabbed two and placed it on my plate. Killian smiled at me. But what can I say, the food disappears too quickly, if you want something, get it before they're all gone. I mean seriously, we been eating only for fifteen minutes and the food is almost gone already.

I wiped my hands with my napkin and crumbled it up and tossed it with my other six balls of crumbled napkins. I picked up my corn and took big bites, not bothering to savor its buttery and sweet taste. Killian crack open the claw of the crab and tried to pull the meat out as one piece. By one pull, he pulled out a big chunk of meat. He looked at me and tried to put it in my mouth. I opened my mouth and took it gratefully. I closed my eyes and just shook my head in happiness as I chewed.

"How is that?"

I opened my eyes slowly. "The best thing I ever tasted." I wiped my mouth again and offered the corn to Killian.

"Good?"

He nodded. "...Very good."

After we were finally finished, we leaned back on our chairs with full bellies while the waitress cleared the table. I bet once I go to bed, I'll wake up in the morning feeling ten pounds heavier. I never in my life ate so much cholesterol before. If Killian feeds me any of that daily I'll end up going back to the hospital like a fat pig.

Henry looked over his shoulder, looking at the game stands by the cashier in awe. Killian caught him look at that direction.

He tapped the waitress' arm and took out his wallet from his pocket. "Excuse me, can you change this to quarters and put them in a plastic cup?" He slipped out a ten dollar bill and handed it to her.

"Of course, sir." She took the money and carried the dirty dishes to the kitchen.

Another waitress came and wiped the table. I gave Killian a look but he ignored it in a playful manner.

"Well, would you guys care for dessert?"

Killian looked at Henry. "What do you say, mate? Want anything for dessert?"

He shook his head. "No thanks. My stomach is so full I think it'll explode if I eat anymore."

Killian lifted his head and looked at me. "What about you? You want anything?"

"Maybe some coffee and more water. I got so much food stuck in my teeth I feel like they're not even mine anymore."

He nodded. "Two coffee and another glass of water. And the check please."

The waitress scribbled the order down on a notepad. "Alrighty. Give me a sec. I'll be back with the refreshments."

Killian wrapped an arm around Henry's shoulder. "Was everything alright?"

Henry smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Thanks. I never had sea food before but...Wow it was amazing. Thanks, man."

"No problem, mate."

The waitress from earlier came back and handed Killian the change that was in a tall plastic cup.

"Thank you."

She nodded and walked away.

Killian handed Henry the plastic cup. "What do you say we have some fun back in the game station?"

Henry nodded eagerly. "You're on."

I beamed at those two eager boys quickly getting up from their seats. Before they started off, the waitress came back with the drinks. I thanked her before she went back to her duties. I picked up my cup and blew on the coffee for it to cool.

"Mom, come and join us."

I shook my head. "No I'm fine, Henry. Run along with Killian. I'll stay here."

Henry urged. "Oh come on mom. Don't be a party pooper."

"Son, no."

This time Killian joined in with the pleading. I still disagreed. But when I took a careful sip of the coffee, both Killian and Henry grabbed my arms and forced me to stand up. I almost burned my tongue when I shakily placed the cup back down quickly.

Killian and Henry first started off playing this twin gun game. I stood aside and watched them in delight and was all full of smiles. As they changed to different games, I chuckled as Killian let Henry win sometimes, but later regrets doing that when Henry started to improve and beat him in almost every game.

Later they decided to do something that the three of us could do together. We all went to the photograph booth. Killian and I sat beside each other and Henry sat in the middle on our laps. As the camera flashed, the three of us quickly done everything we could possibly manage. We took normal composed pictures, funny faces, and the last one was all of us screaming and laughing at the same time as Henry laid back on Killian's lap and spreading his arms out. We got out of the booth, all full of laughter. When we looked at the picture, we could not stop laughing. I was in tears and couldn't silence myself.

After a while when we finally recovered ourselves, we returned back to our table. I took a sip of my now cold coffee.

I handed Killian the pictures. "Which one do you want?"

Killian scanned through each of them with a wide smile. "The last one is priceless. I'll take that one." He carefully ripped the last one and carefully slipped it in his wallet. "This is something that'll remind me of this day."

"I guess me and Henry have these pictures for ourselves. Oh Lord that was funny."

"We should do this again? Oh can we Killian?"

Killian nodded. "Sure, of course we can." He opened the small folder where the check was. He took a quick look and slipped a stash of cash inside.

I wonder how much he paid. Oh gosh, probably enough to shock me. I eyed the little black folder. But before I had the chance to snatch it away, Killian shook his head at me and handed it to a waitress who walked by.

I took another sip of my cup. "How much was it?"

"That's not important. You had a good meal. Period. Okay?"

"Killian."

"Emma, live a little, will you?"

I took another sip of the coffee in defeat. But suddenly loud music started. I craned my neck at the stage where a man stood there with a microphone.

"They have karaoke here?"

Killian shrugged. "I guess. Well, Emma how about you give it a try up there?"

I looked back at him. "Oh no. No. No way. I can't even sing a note."

Henry joined in. "That's not true. How about your daily singing in the shower? You usually sing the pina-"

I quickly covered my hand on his mouth. "That's enough, Henry. I think I'm already embarrassed enough from your big mouth, son."

He nodded as I moved my hand away from his mouth. "Sorry, mom."

Killian chuckled quietly. "I think you should go up there and sing."

"No. And there will be no way that can convince me to do so."

"Oh yeah. How about the fact that that man up there stinks?"

I turned my attention to the man on stage. He's a tall plumped man with only five hairlines grown on his scalp. He looks confident singing on that stage, but the woman he's pointing at doesn't look very comfortable, considering the old woman seated beside her who looks like her mother.

"I didn't think about my lady, I know that sounds kind of mean.
But me and my old lady, had fallen into the same old dull routine.
So I wrote to the paper, took out a personal ad.
And though I'm nobody's poet, I thought it wasn't half-bad.

Yes, I like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
I'm not much into health food, I am into champagne.
I've got to meet you by tomorrow noon, and cut through all this red tape.
At a bar call O'Malley's, where we'll plan our escape."

I covered my face in my palms, laughing hysterically. Killian joined with me and took my hand when I dropped my hands to take a deep breath.

"That's just too sad." I said between laughter.

"So why won't you get up there and show him how it's done."

"I don't know. I think I'll faint if I sing in front all these people."

"Think fast before that man lose his wife."

The song came to a close, and the man's voice squeaked for the last time by the final line. When the man got off stage, a young woman with a turquoise t-shirt took the mike and made a quick announcement. "Uh...Uh okay. Thank you Steve. So the stage is open to anyone who wants to sing for the audience." She placed the mike down and got off the stage.

Killian gave my hand a light squeeze. "This is your chance."

I shook my head. "No, Killian. And again, there is nothing that you can do to change my mind."

His eyes darkened and a smile curved on his lips. "Oh well, I don't think Henry is the only one who has a big mouth this evening. I can always start off with this one gentleman you're very fond of. You know him, don't you? He's the only man who considers hats a high fashion, and at first I thought he was gay when he told me his dream was to make a fashion company of his own."

Oh that little bastard. Killian released my hand and crossed his arms. "Where should I begin?"

Henry looked at me confused. "What's he talking about, mom? You have another boyfriend?"

I sighed and rose from my seat. "Fine, you win. But keep that mouth shut about that info."

"You must sing the same exact song."

I nodded. "Fine."

Henry joined in. "But you have to look at the guy who just sang earlier and point your finger at him."

Killian threw his arm around his shoulders and the two exchanged a high five. I just stood there wanting to do the same, except crash both their heads together other than their hands.

"Henry, I never in my life wanted to go home this much. You better be prepared, young man."

"I know, mom. But for now, good luck on the stage."

I turned around and slowly went up to the stage. I could feel half the room focusing on me. I never received this much attention since I gave birth. I picked up the mike and tapped it to check if it was working. The DJ who was a feet away from me asked what song I wanted. I told him the name of the song. He started the song and now everyone's eyes were on me.

My feet were glued on the floor in the middle of the stage, my hands trembling a little. I cleared my throat awkwardly before starting off with the song. As I sang, the only thing I changed was changing the words to "my old man" and "he". I was still a little nervous in the beginning of the song, but my confidence started build up as the song continued. Every time I'm finished with the passage singing "Pina Coladas" I forced myself to point at the man. I was surprised at how his wife covered her mouth to block her hysterical laughter.

I looked up from the stage and Killian and Henry cheered and whistled for me. Although, I'm still a little trembling from inside, this is actually fun. When the song almost came to a close, I got off the stage and went toward the two couple. I took the man's wife with my hands.

"If you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
If you're not into yoga, if you have half-a-brain.
If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape.
You're the love that I've looked for, come with me, and escape."

Before the short few seconds of the song came to a close, the audience clapped for me loudly and some men whistled. I turned around, smiling as the man behind me scowled at me. I quickly went back on the stage and handed the mike to the DJ and went back down. This time, as I walked straight across, I didn't bother to grab on to the skirt and just freely allowed the thigh length cut to happily show my leg as I returned to the table with Killian and Henry.

When I was about to sit down on my chair, Killian took my hand and pulled me down on his lap. It was a straight forward offer, but after the overwhelming and flattering response from the audience and the poor man's wife, I sat down with no hesitation and wrapped an arm around his neck.

He wrapped one arm around my waist and the other rested on my lap. "That was fantastic. Ha! Poor man, I won't be surprised if he and his wife end up being separated for a few weeks."

Henry gave me a high five. "I told you she was a good singer. There's a big difference when she sings in public and in the shower. Seriously, in public she could pull off as a rookie singer, but in the shower she can pull off as the next generation of Whitney Houston."

I gave Henry a look but still smiled. "Oh you. You can never keep anything quiet."

I felt Killian's hand rubbing gently against my back. "The kid could be right there. Are you planning to take a shower tonight?"

"Hey, I sang once in the same room as you, I'm not going to do it again."

He leaned against my face and whispered in my ear. "Oh Emma what are you thinking? Now you're imagining me and you being in the bathroom together? Boy you have been alone for too long."

I slapped him in the arm but could not make that smile go away.