Emma

When I walked in, Grumpy was there with a stack of mails in his hands. Huh. Oh great, like I need to go through another problem.

He grunted when he saw me come in. "Well well, welcome back Miss Gold digger. Come back so soon? Your boyfriend already made the arrangements here."

I tightened my hand to a fist. "I just came here to pack my things. Um, how many days do I have?"

"A week. And only a week."

"Fine." I marched up the stairs.

"How did you and that boyfriend of yours meet anyway?"

"It's none of your business." I didn't dare turn around and continued my way up.

I went back to my apartment room and slammed the door shut. I gasped at the numbers of boxes that are stacked in the room.

"Oh gosh. I can't believe this."

Everything is packed in card board boxes and others are wrapped heavily with transparent foil. I went over to the kitchen and picked up the telephone and dialed the number to the diner.

"Hello? This is The Shells. I'm Ruby may I take your order?"

"Rubes. Hey it's me, Emma."

She gasped. "Emma! Oh my gosh, I'm glad you're back."

"Yeah. Um do you have a minute?"

"Well, the diner is sort of packed. But I have a minute or two."

"...Urm, I don't work there anymore, even the motel now."

"Yeah I know! I heard. I'm so glad you and Killian are hitting it off."

"Thanks. But he and I got in a fight just now."

"What? Why?"

I dug one of my hands in my hair and took a seat on the stool. "Well, technically I wasn't the one who made those decisions. And I know he's trying to help me, but going that far just really turned me off."

"Emma. He only did it because he cares about you and he doesn't want you to suffer anymore. How bad do you think I feel after I found out you were sick all this time? I felt like an idiot that I didn't realize any sooner even though I see you and talk to you every day."

"Rubes, please don't concern about me, I'm fine now...I guess I just totally lost it."

"You sure did. Besides, weren't you planning to quit anyway?"

I slowly nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right...Oh gosh what's wrong with me?"

"You're just in love, that's all. At least you didn't do anything that you would regret afterwards."

I fell silent.

"Emma. You didn't do anything else, right?"

"Well, I sort of..flipped him off."

"Emma! What's wrong with you?"

"Oh please you would do the same if you were me."

She sighed. "Well, it looks like you need two apologies when you see him again."

"Actually, we're going to see each other more often now."

"Really! Oh my god are you guys moving in together?!" I smiled at the excitement in her voice.

"He bought a house. It was really beautiful. I'm sort of worried how much money he's going to spend."

"Oh who cares? I can't believe this. Oh! I can't wait to tell Granny."

"I'm sure she'll be surprised as much as you are."

"Can I visit?"

"Yeah sure. By the way, can you help me with the unpacking? I know Killian probably called for some men to carry these luggage away. But there are a few luggage that I want to bring by hand."

"Sure. Of course. This is great."

"Can you also ask Belle?"

Her voice fell disappointed. "Do you have to bring her along?"

"Oh come on, Ruby. Belle is also my friend and it'll be nice to have an extra hand back at that house. I need all the advice I can get to make the decisions on what to buy."

"Fine...Huh. Hey, I gotta go. Boss just walked in."

"Okay bye." I hung up the phone.

~ The men Killian called for came and started to load the luggage in the trunk downstairs. Apparently, he also ordered them to throw some things away. I almost protested when they threw away the mattress and the old television Bae stole.

I hanged on to the two card board boxes that contains too many valuable things. I stood in the corner of the room and guarded just those two boxes while each men asked for which one to be loaded.

A man in a red short sleeve shirt pointed to a large box that's not properly packaged. "Do you know where the tape is?"

"Its by the kitchen stand."

He nodded and walked over to the kitchen and picked up the tape. I crossed my arms across my chest and stood there awkwardly, watching everyone working. Another man walked in. But I didn't pay attention to him.

I leaned back on the wall and lowered my eyes down on my shoes. Someone came forward to me. "Miss, where do you want me to put these flowers?"

I frowned. "Flowers? I don't have any flowers." I lifted my head. I smiled when I saw Killian right there in front of me.

"Hey."

I licked my lips and took a breath. "Hi."

He handed me the beautifully wrapped white lilies to me. "These are for you."

I took them and raised them to my nostrils. "They're lovely. Thanks."

"I wasn't going to face you again after our little quarrel. But I just had to see you...So, do you forgive me?"

"Killian, there's no need for forgiveness. I'm sorry. I was a total jerk back there. I do admit that it's wrong of you to meddle in my life too far. But then again, you're right that I need to quit all those things that's killing me in both the inside and the outside every day of my life. So thank you for that, thank you for helping me to quit all those obstacles."

"Emma, I truly care for you. Even when you're pissed. But I promise I'll to be careful next time. You're right that I did take things too far. But helping this way was not easy, and unfortunately, doing all this requires force, love. Do you understand?"

I nodded. "Yeah. So, do you forgive me?"

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. Our foreheads touched together, and our eyes came to a close. "A thousand times yes. You? Do you forgive me?"

I chuckled. "Do I have a choice? It's a challenge to stay mad at the almighty Killian Jones."

"Well, this is one thing that won't be a challenge." He tilted his head slightly and captured my lips to his. The kiss was gentle and just a soft touch on the lips. I can feel a few eyes watching us, but I didn't care, I wanted more of his touch and soft words.

Suddenly, somebody from behind interrupted us. I opened my eyes and almost fainted when I saw Ruby and Belle standing behind Killian.

Ruby cleared her throat with a wide and excited smile. "Hey guys, let's not be so close with everyone in the room."

Killian broke the kiss slowly and pulled apart from me. One of his arms remained around my waist as he faced my friends. "Hello. Emma are these your friends?"

I placed my fingertips on my lips and just nodded. "Uh..Uh yes. Killian I like you to meet my girlfriends back at the diner. Ruby and Belle. Guys, this is Killian."

The three of them shook hands with each other. I can see how the smiles on both their faces. It was a little awkward for a while. But thankfully, Belle broke it off by picking up one of the boxes I was guarding.

"Are these the boxes you want to bring by hand?"

I nodded. "Yeah, Belle. Are you sure you and Rubes are free today?"

They both nodded.

Ruby tucked a strand of her hair between her ears before picking up the other box. "I talked to Granny, and she gave me a day off today."

Killian pulled me closer and whispered in my ear. "I have to go pick up Henry. I'll see you soon back at the house. I love you."

I nodded. And looked straight at my friends anxiously as he gave me a kiss on the cheek. He dropped his arm off my waist and straightened his coat. "It was a pleasure meeting you. I'm afraid I must be going. I hope to see you both back at the house." Before he started out the door he slipped out his wallet and pulled out his credit card. He handed it to Ruby. "Dinner is on me. I trust you'll prevent Emma to refuse to use this."

Ruby flashed a smile and nodded. "I promise, Killian. Money and Emma are something I am guarantee to control with."

"Well, good day." He started out to the door.

I sighed and looked straight at Ruby.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Hey, its true. Now come on, let's go. You have so much to tell us."

All the men were gone and waiting downstairs. I locked the door when the three of us stepped outside. Ruby couldn't wait another minute for what I had to say, so I started the story about what happened when I woke up in the ship.

"I picked up a cell phone, which I later found out that Killian bought it for Henry without telling me. I answered it and it was Killian. He and Henry made me wear that red bikini you bought me few years ago."

Ruby laughed. "Oh god! Really? Man I wish I saw you wear that again."

"Anyway, I wore it in defense. And the three of us spent the entire day up on deck. It was so adorable watching Henry and Killian driving the sterling wheel while wearing a cute sailor's hat and blowing on these ridiculous bubble making pipes."

"What happened later on?" Belle asked.

"We came to a stop and Killian took us to this amazing seafood restaurant. Oh Lord! I had the most delicious food in the world. Unfortunately, after eating all the mouthwatering cholesterol, the entertainment didn't last there. Before we arrived to the restaurant, he forced me to wear this dress that had a thigh cut length. I felt so naked, honestly, I don't know how any woman can walk in public while flashing her bare legs. And also the other surprise was that there was this karaoke on stage, and this huge plumped guy was on stage and singing the pina colada song to his wife. The worst part about that was that this old woman was beside her, who I think I'm guessing was her mother. He was a terrible singer, and also a horrible husband to pick such a song for his wife. So when he got off the stage, Killian forced me to go up there and sing the same exact song. And Henry made it worse when he made the deal heavy by also requiring me to point at the man while I sang. Oh Lord! I don't know what I was doing on that stage but what a night!"

Belle and Ruby giggled so hard I had to steady them when we got off the stairs.

"How did he convince you anyway?" Ruby asked.

"Killian threatened me by telling Henry about Jefferson. That man honestly can do anything that drives me nuts, guys."

Belle shrugged her shoulders. "That's just men, Emma. It's simply love. And you're lucky you found such a man."

"I couldn't agree more." Ruby added on.

Suddenly, Grumpy walked in. I sighed and was prepared for whatever the crap he has to say.

"Well, looks like you have some girlfriends to cheer you on. Aren't you in any way ashamed, Miss Gold Digger?"

Ruby frowned and almost charged straight at the man, but I grabbed her arm to stop her. Although she pulled back, one thing I can't block is her bad mouth. "Excuse me? What the hell did you just say to my friend? Look mister, how dare you say something like that?"

"Rubes."

She shook her arm off me and placed the box down on the floor. "Look mister. You have no right to call anyone like that. Haven't you ever heard of love? She found the man by love not by portraying as a cheap tramp. Now why won't you just buzz off and live on with your lonely, sad life."

Belle was facing me and looked pretty mad too. I can see how hard she's holding herself to not fight back with Ruby. But before I can stop her, she turned around and joined Ruby as expected. She placed the box down and opened her mouth to speak but no words escaped her lips. She just stared at Grumpy with astonished eyes. I looked at Grumpy, and he had the same exact reaction on his face too.

I went over to Belle and touched her arm. "Belle, you okay?"

She didn't listen to me and remained her focus straight at Grumpy. "D-daddy?"

I gasped and looked at Grumpy.

Tear drops fells down his cheeks. "Belle? My little princess, is that really you?"