Chapter 39

Emma

The bridal party walked down the aisle of white chairs inside of the church. I held Killian's arm as we walked first in line to the stage, where Henry stood, waiting, a violet in his breast pocket. He grinned down the aisle as we came first in line, followed by Regina and Robin, then Snow and David. Lily also walked beside Neal. We gathered at the front of the stage.

I wore a pale lavender dress with my hair up. Snow wore the same dress as me. It was Violet's chosen bridesmaid shade. Lily also was a bridesmaid, wearing the same shade of lavender as Snow and me. Our dresses were simple and elegant, with thin straps and V-neck trims. The men, David, Killian, Robin and of course Henry, all wore black tuxedos. Granny took care of the Hope, little Neal, and Zelena's daughter, Robin, although Zelena was not present. Neither was Gold, which didn't shock me. Regina also wore a lavender gown, although her dress was slightly darker in violet. It was silky and gorgeous. She stood next to Robin, gleefully clutching onto him. Snow and David also hugged onto one another.

After the vows were exchanged between Henry and Violet, officiated by Archie, Henry smiled knowingly at Violet. She beamed, radiant as she handed the bouquet of flowers to me. I smiled up at Killian, as he locked eyes with me, looking strikingly handsome. He smirked at me with one eyebrow cocked up.

Henry walked on the stage and faced the audience in front of the microphone stand. Behind him in a row, where Killian, David, Neal and Robin, also accompanied with microphone stands in front of them.

A slow, romantic song began with a soft beat the sound of a cadence of piano notes and drums over the audio speakers surrounding us.

Henry gazed at Violet and began to sing the lyrics slowly and full of passion as he stared at his bride in front of him.

When the visions around you
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surrounds you
Are secrets and lies

I'll be your strength
I'll give you hope
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call
Was standing here all along

With the chorus, David, Killian, Neal and Robin sang the words along with Henry:

And I will take, you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
'Til the day my life is through, this I promise you
This I promise you

Henry sang the next verse alone:

I've loved you forever
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never
Will you hurt anymore

I give you my word
I give you my heart (I give you my heart)
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow, forever has now begun

Henry's backup singers joined in and sang.

And I will take, you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
'Til the day my life is through, this I promise you
This I promise you

Just close your eyes, each loving day
And know this feeling won't go away, no
'Til the day my life is through, this I promise you
This I promise you

Over and over I fall (over and over I fall)
When I hear you call
Without you in my life, baby
I just wouldn't be living at all

And I will take (I will take) you in my arms (you in my arms)
And hold you right where you belong (right where you belong)
'Til the day my life is through, this I promise you, babe
Just close your eyes, each loving day (each loving day)
And know this feeling won't go away (no)
Every word I say is true, this I promise you

Every word I say is true, this I promise you
Ooh, I promise you

After the song concluded, the rest of us in the audience clapped. I felt chills of excitement and joy, as I locked gazes with Killian. He had been singing to me, focusing on me for the entire song. He flashed me a crooked smirk. The men on the stage descended the steps of the stage and joined their partners. Killian came to me and took my hand.

I whispered, "That was beautiful." I kissed him softly and squeezed his hand.

He gently touched my cheek with his hand and said, "And you are beautiful, Swan." He gave me a quick once over of me wearing my dress.

I looked over at Henry. He was whispering something in his new wife's ear. She was grinning, her eyes shiny with tears of happiness. I walked over to them, Killian following along, still holding my hand.

I said to my son, "I love your song choice. It was beautiful Straight from the heart. 'Nsync was a nice touch."

Henry beamed at me and gave me a hug. "The lyrics fit." He wrapped his arm around Violet's waist and pulled her to him. He added, "I think it's time for our first dance as newlyweds. If everyone will join us in the dance hall." Henry held up his hand to present the exit, where we would have the reception.

Killian led me to the center of the large open space of the dance room. There were round tables and chairs at the edges of the room, with white tablecloths. On each table was a vase of violets and white baby breath. The tables were complete with votive candles in glass holders.

The rest of the guests poured into the room and claimed their tables.

Henry and Violet took the dance floor center and embraced each other. They spoke quietly to one another. Violet placed her arms around his neck, and he held her closely by her waist.

Killian moved his arms around my waist and stared at me. I put my hands on his shoulders and rubbed them gently as I smiled up at him. A song began, and I knew it right away. Only You by Yaz began. I lifted my chin and said to my husband, "Remember this one?"

We moved together to the catchy romantic song. "Aye. Think this has become their song."

I saw other couples join each other on the dance floor.

Neal was holding Lily, as they swayed together. They were both smiling at each other. I caught a glimpse of Neal quickly glance at me. I thought about how he had played this song for us, long ago when we first dated. It was no longer our song, since it was the one Henry had played for Violet, so he had told me, when I had become the Dark One.

Killian glanced across the couples to Neal and Lily, and then looked into my eyes with intensity. "What is it?" he asked under his breath. His eyes were slightly troubled. I lifted an eyebrow in question. Inside, my heart beat harder, realizing Killian missed nothing. It wasn't that I was still in love with Neal. No, I only loved Killian, but I knew that Killian was probably wondering about that again.

Killian sighed and shot a fast look in Neal's direction. He moved his mouth close to my ear as we swayed together to the song. His hand tightened at my waist with urgency. "He keeps looking at you Love. And I can't help but notice you glanced at him too." His gaze was worried.

I shook my head and whispered, "You have nothing to worry about, Killian. That's because this song was the one Neal played for me. Henry just liked it when I told him about that. That's probably why Neal was looking at me."

I reached to lightly caress his cheek, and then rested my palm under his chin. He gazed at me reluctantly, but I saw a glimmer of hope, as if wanting to believe me, in his eyes.

"That may be for you. But as for him, I don't believe he's over you," he said softly. His eyes were slightly grim.

I ran my fingers under his chin and then brushed my fingertips over his cheek, holding his face. I inched closer and said, "That's nothing to feel threatened over. I can't control what he may feel for me. But I'm married to you." I gave him a fervent look, letting my love for him shine through my eyes. He didn't respond. He held me a little tighter.

I gave him a tender kiss and then said softly, "I don't want to revisit this, Killian. And I really don't want to do this here."

Killian shook his head and arched an eyebrow at Neal and then looked down at me pensively.

The song changed to another slow, romantic love song. I recognized the classic song Meet Me halfway by Kenny Loggins.

He frowned and shook his head, his eyes soft and warm. "I don't either. I don't feel threatened, I just don't like it. But it isn't that I don't trust you. I do."

I cocked my head to the side and lifted an eyebrow at him. I said skeptically, "You're lying. You know you can't lie to me. Why can't you let this go?"

He lifted his eyes and scanned the crowd and heaved a sigh. "I have. Question is, why can't he?"

"Please don't let it bother you. At least he's moving on." I glanced at Neal and Lily. They were speaking to each other, but their conversation appeared rather serious and intense.

I saw Lily walk swiftly to a table and sit down. She picked up a glass of champagne. Her eyes skated over me and then snagged on Neal. She looked at Henry and around the people in the room. She ignored Neal when he walked over to her table. He seemed apologetic and reached for her hand. She looked everywhere else in the room except at him. Neal raised his brows and visibly sighed as he licked his lips and snuck a peek at me. He made his way around the chairs to sit next to Lily, but she immediately stood and walked out of one of the exits.

Neal stared, vexed at the place where she had been sitting at the table and shook his head in dismay, his face crestfallen like there was fear in his eyes that he may had lost Lily. He then rose to his feet, rather unrushed, and with a walk of defeat, he meandered to the open bar in the corner of the room. A minute later he received a beer from the bartender and took a drink. He surveyed the room, spotted Henry and Violet, but I could tell he was avoiding looking in our direction again.

Killian kept glancing at Neal. He faced me as we continued to dance in each other's arms. Killian said, "Or perhaps not." His eyes smoldered insinuating his belief that he stood by that Neal still loved me.

"I'm only watching because of the intriguing drama." I gazed into his eyes. He seemed like he believed me.

He nodded once and replied in his husky tone, "It perhaps has to do with you and the way he kept glancing at you."

I tilted my head to the side and pressed my lips together thinly. I said gently, "Killian."

"Worry not Swan. I just can tell he still wants my wife. And Lily is no fool either." He glanced at Neal again and then he looked deeply into my eyes. "It doesn't change us though," he whispered. He dipped his chin once and arched a brow at me significantly.

I nodded and held the back of his neck, just below the base of his head. I murmured, "Whatever's happening between them…it doesn't matter. It doesn't change us. Like you said." I gave him a nod of certainty.

"Not to fuel an argument with you, but I believe that awhile back, you gave him hope." He paused to assess my reaction. I didn't allow myself to feel like Kilian was blaming me. His tone was still soft. He added just above a whisper, "I'm not blaming you. Just know that. I'm speaking of mere facts."

"I know," I replied tenderly. I traced my fingers up and down the nape of his neck. "I'm sorry for that, Killian. I shouldn't have said to him that I loved him, even to save us all. But it was required. To unlock that power from the ring."

He lifted his chin and looked around the room. His soft smile tightened as he quickly shook his head. "You were being selfless. Perhaps you lied to him. I choose to believe you did," he said evenly as he raised an eyebrow as if requesting with hope that he was right.

I tried to remain expressionless, although this was an intense topic. I did feel guilty for saying that to Neal, even in order to travel back through time, and because it would activate the ring's power, he had given me only to leave the realm of the past. Deep down, I knew I cared for Neal. I would always feel more of a love for Neal like he was a good friend now, since I loved my husband.

Killian was staring at me like he was analyzing me carefully. He arched an eyebrow, obviously skeptical of my responses. The dubious look in his eyes told me that he still didn't fully believe me about Neal. I whispered, "My heart is yours, Killian. It was a lie to Neal. I don't love him like that." I tilted my head and gazed at him lovingly as my fingertips trailed up and down the nape of his neck.

His mouth spread into a relieved smile. His eyes softened, as if fear of the sensitive topic of Neal faded away. "Whatever you say, Swan." I could tell he was lying at that remark. His brave smile didn't fool me.

I sighed as the song changed to another slow number, From here to Eternity by Michael Peterson. I sighed and stared hard at him earnestly and whispered, "I know you may be struggling to believe that I don't love Neal no matter what I say. But we are only friends Killian."

He nodded as if trying to forget the issue and flashed me another one of his smiles as if nothing bothered him. "I believe you." His expression was sincere and loving and held no accusation.

"Good. Because I'm tired of trying to explain it to you," I said coquettishly. I gave him a little smile.

He smirked back at me and held me tighter with his arms. I glanced over at Henry and Violet as they held onto one another, swaying to the beautiful song. Henry and Violet were grinning at each other as Henry spoke to her.

Just then, Neal hurried back through the entrance doors to the reck hall and made a beeline for me. I frowned at his urgent, earnest expression. A small frown on his face as he looked at me. He stopped in front of my husband and I, slightly out of breath.

I gave Neal a questioning once over.

Neal ticked his eyes to Killian, and then said, "Emma." His tone was urgent. His eyes were serious and rather dire. "I need to talk to you." He looked at Killian.

Killian still held onto my waist with his hand and tightened his jaw, clearly disturbed by the gravity of Neal's expression.

"What's to be said can be said in front of me," Killian said to Neal, his face just as earnest and his eyes full of disappointment.

I quickly side-glanced at Henry and Violet, who seemed to notice Neal's presence near me, but the newlyweds kept their attention back on each other.

I replied in a hushed tone with a strange look at Neal, "Outside. We can't spoil our son's wedding."

Neal led Killian and I outside of the reck hall onto the grassy lawn. Killian stood protectively next to me, demonstrating his position as my husband as he evaluated Neal disapprovingly.

I stared at Neal and said, "Okay. Spill it, Neal. What's so important that you need to drag me out here?"

Neal gave a quick look around us and said urgently, "I have reason to believe that my father kidnapped Zelena."

"Wait, what?" Killian scoffed. "What makes you say that?" he jerked his head back and stared at Neal like he was crazy.

I heaved a heavy sigh and shook my head slowly. "That would explain their no show to my son's wedding. Zelena did RSVP." I raised an eyebrow at Neal.

Neal put his palm down in the air and glanced at our surroundings once more and stared at me. He said quietly, "Actually, I know this because I have been watching my father. Zelena went missing a few days ago. She has been acting strange."

"Stranger than usual?" Killian interjected, annoyed. Neal slightly nodded at Killian's inquiry.

Killian added, "Makes sense. Why would he hold Zelena hostage?"

Neal replied evenly, "I don't know. They don't exactly get along. But I think that he is using her for her power. It makes sense. Everything about him is about power."

I hung onto Killian's arm and nodded. I pondered all this information and said, "Gold might have utilized her, to break that blood lock on Regina's vault. Clearly he wanted to put me in the past."

Killian lifted a skeptical eyebrow at Neal. "Aye. To bring you back."

Neal looked back at him and dipped his chin in agreement. "And used Emma to do it." He pointed a finger at me and pursed his lips.

I ticked my eyes between them and said with serious dire, "Pushing me into that portal, but using that time traveling demon to drag me there. But the question is, who swooped Killian and I to Oz?"

Neal shook his head and shrugged. "Distraction maybe?"

Killian sighed and said, "I could use my rum. Can't I have it back?" He faced me, clearly slightly stressed that Gold perhaps had messed with me and nearly ruined our lives, again. I nodded and patted his chest gently with my palm.

"In this case, yes," I replied. I turned to Neal and said, "So how do you know that Zelena is being held hostage by Gold? Where are they?"

Neal jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "I have seen her walking in the woods to the house that my father is staying at. Zelena isn't here either, is she?" he asked rhetorically.

I shook my head. "No. Which is sad. It's only Henry's wedding," I said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes. Killian scoffed and agreed with a gruff "Aye. Which we should get back to."

"Killian's right." I said softly, "So Regina's not noticed? Or she's too distracted by Robin."

Neal said with significance in his low voice, "Exactly. Probably part of my father's plan. I spotted them on the outskirts of town. In an abandoned house. But not Zelena's. It's another one."

"All right, well I don't think we should alert Henry and our family yet. I don't want to ruin Henry's wedding reception," I replied. "I think that we should go inside, finish it up so that Henry's not suspicious of us disappearing."

Killian watched Neal carefully as if trying to read him beyond all of what he claimed.

Neal nodded. "Of course. Maybe after wards, we can take a look if you want, Emma?" his tone was nonchalant. He looked into my eyes for a moment. Killian noticed it. My husband tightened his arm around my waist and replied, "Why would you care so much about Zelena, mate?"

"I'm just curious to see what my father's up to this time," Neal replied indifferently. He stared back at Killian sincerely, his expression blasé. "I think this is all his master plan. It concerns Emma. All of you. And us. Who knows what else my fathers got plotted?"

I held up my finger and looked at Killian. I whispered, "And why he still has Zelena in custody."

Killian replied, "I reckon Gold is using Zelena in some way of control."

Neal glanced at Killian and faced me. Neal said, "Maybe its revenge on my behalf from years ago."

I nodded and let out a long breath, wishing that this discovery was not coming tonight, on Henry's special night. "Perhaps he's using Zelena's heart," I said.

Killian gave Neal a concealed scowl, but I could see it in the dimly lit garden where we stood. I said, "Exactly true. I'd love to go storming inside that house and find out. Especially since I'm the Sherriff. By the way, where did Lily go?" I faced Neal.

Neal shrugged and scratched the back of his head, and then tossed his hand in the air. "Not sure. I went after her, but she told me to leave her alone. In so many other colorful words. Think we're through." He sniffed and looked out into the distance for a moment.

Killian shot him a quick glare and then looked upward as if rolling his eyes. "That's a shame, mate. Perhaps you ought to go after her. Shall we get back inside Love?"

His hand slid to the small of my back as we walked back to the entrance doors of the reception hall. Neal followed behind us. He said quietly, "If you'd like to go with me after this Emma, I can show you. Maybe Killian can be with Hope at home?"

"Trying to bloody get rid of me?" Killian asked Neal flatly. Killian stopped and practically turned sharply to glower at Neal. I glanced between the men and sighed.

I held out my palms and retorted, "We're not doing this, guys. Especially not now. Come, let's get back inside. It's Henry's night. Don't ruin it." I darted them a disgruntled glance and opened the main doors of the building where the reception was being held and entered. The men behind me followed me.

I spotted Henry and Violet. They were still dancing to another slow song. Henry smiled over at us and resumed moving in dancing circles with his new wife.

I smirked up at Killian, who now stood by myself in a protective manner. He took my hand and held it. Neal lingered on my other side and scanned the room full of guests.

I pointed at Henry and Violet and said to Killian, "They look so happy. I say we wait until we start chaos by telling them about Zelena. And if we tell anyone else in our family, word will get to Henry. I want him to enjoy his evening and his honeymoon."

I noticed that Regina, Snow and David were looking at us curiously. Regina made a beeline for us, Robin in tow next to her. Regina reached to bump my arm. She said to me, "Something's up. I can tell with the dire o our face. All of yours." She flitted a finger in Killian and Neal's direction.

I pressed my lips together, deciding if I should tell her or not. I snuck a look at Killian and tried to remain nonchalant. I shrugged and replied indifferently, "We just had to have a little chat." I lifted my fingers and motioned my hand at my husband and Neal.

Regina pretended to laugh. She rolled her eyes around and said sarcastically, "Don't lie to me, Swan. I'm not an imbecile. And I can tell the Pirate won't look me in the eyes. His gaze is extra shifty." She narrowed her eyes at Killian, who only arched a brow at her and pursed his lips with attitude.

Killian replied smoothly, "Not that I ever want to look at you." He gave Regina a dark look and then focused on me.

Robin and Neal only stood there quietly, not wanting to interject.

Regina folded her arms and tilted her head to the side as she stared me down. "So tell me. I thought we were friends. And good co parents." She cocked her head and swept her hair behind her back.

I frowned at Regina and whispered, "Fine. But not here. I don't want to take the focus off the happy couple. We can't do that to Henry." I lifted my chin to gesture at Henry and Violet, who were staring into one another's eyes.

Regina lifted her eyebrows in acceptance and replied, "Agreed. Is this urgent?"

I nodded once in response and said quietly, "It could be. It's only an assumption though, but Neal is onto something."

Regina stood in front of me, her movements indifferent as if we were just chatting. She smiled as she looked around the room. I smiled up at Killian, who also acted blasé. He squeezed my hand.

Neal watched me carefully. He seemed to notice everything that I did.

Regina raised her eyebrow at me and said softly, "Please don't keep secrets. Might as well tell us." She side-glanced lovingly up at Robin.

I sighed and glanced over at Henry, who still didn't seem to catch on that we were discussing an important matter. I said casually, "I wasn't going to keep a secret. But here it is." I faced Regina, as if discussing the decorations on the tables. I said under my breath, "It involves your sister."

Her eyes went wide. She drew her head back and let out a short breath and lifted her brows. "What do you mean?" She panned the room again before she added, "By the way, where is she?"

I licked my lips and motioned my arm in Neal's direction. I replied evenly, "Neal has the information. We'll have to investigate the situation. And at least wait until after cake after Henry and Violet leave."

"At least tell me the rest of this juicy news now," Regina said as she ticked her eyes expectedly between Neal and me. "We will act inconspicuous now and act on it later."

I took a step closer to Regina to act discreet about the level of gravity that convey with my actions and words. I made my expression blasé and carefree, but I said earnestly, "Neal said that we should have reason to believe that Gold has Zelena. And is using her. More than likely, Gold used Zelena to break into your vault. He is probably behind everything. I think he has her heart."

Playlist ~

This I Promise You – Nsync

Meet Me Halfway – Meet Me Halfway – Kenny Loggins

Only You – Yaz

From Here to Eternity – Michael Petersen

Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden

Wasted Time – Fuel

Only You're the One – Lifehouse

Believe – Staind

Angel – The Weekend

Hesitate – Stone Sour