Ch. 3

Emma woke up and soon realized that she was not sleeping at home in her bed, nor was she alone in the bed. She had someone's arm draped over her and he was snuggled in rather close. Her eyes began to adjust to the light in the room coming in from the moon outside the window. She softly rolled her body around to find Hook curled up next to her.

He must have come in at some point while she was asleep and joined her in the bed. He smelled of spices and appeared to be passed out. She gazed at him while he was sleeping and he seemed peaceful. He had removed most of his clothing except it seems he was gentlemen enough to leave on his pants and one boot. She smiled. He was shirtless and she noticed that his chest was marred with scars in different areas. No doubt that he had an adventurous tale he could tell for each one. She would like to think she could forget how she received each of her markings but she could likely tell her tales as well.

She noticed that he had a scar that lay above his heart. She wasn't thinking and she reached out and touched it lightly. He moaned a little and pulled her a little closer. She remained still so that she didn't wake him. It actually felt nice to be held and he was keeping her warm. She thought the worst would happen to her earlier. She was thankful she was still alive.

It had been awhile since she had shared her bed with Neal. He traveled often and she suspected he had other women that he would meet with but she never asked. He slept in a separate room at the castle when he was home. On occasion he would stumble into her room, reeking of liquor. It was those evenings that she would rather forget and was happy to see that he left her before she woke up in the morning. She would often spend the day in her room after those nights. Thankfully it had been quite awhile since that had happened.

She would rather remember Neal when they first married. He was full of life and he smiled at her often when he didn't know she was looking. He made her feel special and didn't mind that she wasn't just like the other princesses. She had fire and was not afraid to speak her mind. That seemed to put off many of the other princes that came to court her.

She met many of the princes at her first royal ball. They all seemed very nice but were narrow minded and often made her feel like she wouldn't fit in. Half way through the ball she managed to sneak away and wander down the hall. She went to find a quiet place to sit. That was when she met Neal. He had arrived late to the ball and was rushing to get in.

He had been traveling most of the week. She took him in the back of the castle to the kitchen since he missed dinner. They talked most of the night and finally did get in one dance. He wasn't like the other princes who only talked about politics and connections. Neal spoke of his travels and how he longed for adventure to other realms.

She had been mesmerized by him and she was actually happy that she went to the ball after meeting him. Soon after the ball her father told her that Neal had asked for her hand in marriage. She found out later that it had been a setup by her father, Neal, and Neal's father that they were to meet. It had also been pre-arranged that they would marry to unite their lands. Their fathers had met during their travel and they mutually agreed a match would be in their best interests.

Her father knew how much Emma hated the idea of being a match for political reasons so he hid it from her. They staged her meeting with Neal at the ball. Her father never knew that Neal blurted it out during one of his drunken rages. She was devastated. She always thought he married her because he fell in love with her that night like she did with him. She had been a fool in many ways with Neal but at least he had given her Henry.

Henry was a joy to her. He was such a happy baby and hardly fussy at all. He was not an easy birth by any means. She had lost a lot of blood during the delivery and almost didn't live. When he was born Neal was so happy. His father came to join them at the castle within days after Henry was born. She was conscious some of the time. They would often have whispered conversations in the hall outside of her room. She overheard his father one time say that no one could deny their family any longer. Their blood was now mixed with a Royal and he would rule the lands. That was always puzzling to her.

Soon after Henry's birth Neal began traveling a lot back and forth between their castle and his father's. Each time he returned he grew more distant and cold. Then he began drinking heavily during the time he was home.

After trying to get him to slow down drinking one evening he struck her for the first time. She retreated to her room and from then on she closed her heart to him. She tried to keep to herself and continued to do her daily activities. She looked after Henry and maintained the needs around the castle as they required her to do.

She didn't have many visitors aside from Neal's business connections that would come to town from time to time. Occasionally they would bring their wives but it was not very often. She rarely got to see her family except for holidays and as Henry grew older most of the time she was alone. It was hardly the life she had imagined she would have when she met Neal.

She felt tears pooling in her eyes and relief in her heart. She would never have to face him as a shell of herself again. If by some chance this adventure provided her with a fortunate outcome she would make things right. She would no longer be the doormat that he could tread upon. She would be the bold and vivacious woman that men feared. She felt Hook stir awake as she moved to wipe away her tears.

He opened his eyes to see her staring at him. Their faces nearly touching since she was wrapped in his arms.

"Ah, Love. You're awake." He said his voice was thick with sleep.

She didn't move and neither did he.

"Yes, Captain. I wasn't expecting to find you here, so close when I woke up." she whispered.

"Well Love, this is my bed you are occupying" he said as he pulled her in a little closer.

She sighed. After all it was his bed, his cabin, and his ship. She was just a problem that he managed to pick up at the last port. He was warm and she was used to sleeping in a cold bed alone in her castle. It was nice to be held. She snuggled closer in him embracing his warm chiseled body.

"Hmm, this could be a celebratory night after all." He said as he pulled her closer so that the lengths of their bodies were meeting.

"Well Captain, I was welcoming death earlier. It's been a long time since anyone has held me this close and it feels nice to be in your arms. If I were to die tomorrow I would like it to be spent in the comfort and warmth versus sleeping alone at the edge of the bed." She said.

"I see, are you always so direct with your comments?" he asked.

"Well I used to be. My parents feared no man would have me because I spoke my mind so freely." She said without breaking their gaze.

"I rather admire a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it." he said.

"You might wish to take those words back after spending a few days with me." she said smiling.

"Fair Point Princess, I'll happily warm you for the evening and if you have other requests I'd be happy to oblige you of those as well? As I said earlier, I have no intention of killing you." He said as he nestled closer to her his chin resting on top of her head as she was pulled into his chest.

"Thank you Captain." she said.

"If we aren't going to be celebrating this evening I suggest we get some shut eye. We are heading into rough waters tomorrow and I need my strength." He said.

She sat up, pulled from his arms and scooted to the bottom of the bed.

"What are you doing Love?"he scoffed.

She reached down and pulled off his other boot and tossed it onto the floor.

He laughed and pulled her back down to his side.

"Come here love and keep me warm, at least let me feel your body up against me if I can't have you completely." he said laughing.

She felt her power coming back and his warmth felt good. She hated feeling weak. She could hear his heart beating and the rhythm was calming. She felt herself getting pulled back into sleep and for the first time in a very long time she felt safe.