A/N: Next chapter, a bit of a reality check, with some glitz and glamour moments.
Thanks to my lovely beta for the wonderful help, it's been such a pleasure to work with you.
Enjoy.
Chapter 9Emma smoothed her hand over the black and white dress with the ruffled feathers falling down the back, imitating the look of a bird. Ruby had picked it out for her on their shopping spree a few weeks ago. She'd claimed that it would be fitting since her pen name was Swan. The dress had a full-length skirt with a slit going to mid-thigh on her right leg, with a heart-shaped neckline.
Her fingers fiddled with the swan pendant Killian had given her on their second date, one he'd planned carefully to avoid any paparazzi's picking up on them. Driving out to a rented cabin in the woods north of LA. She sighed as she recalled why he'd been so careful; not a day had passed after their beach date before pictures of them out in the water popped up on various gossip sites online. Would it ever be normal to see yourself splashed up for everyone to gawk at your life?
"You ready?" Ruby called. "Our men just came through the gate."
Emma smiled. It seemed as if the hook-up Ruby had done with Graham at the wrap party had developed into a serious relationship.
Finding her clutch, she followed her friend to the front door. Emma stepped out of the door where a sleek stretch limo waited for them. Two doors opened simultaneously revealing Killian and Graham dressed up in their finest.
"Gwards." Ruby fanned herself as the two men walked up to them. "We're lucky bitches you know that girl?"
Emma only nodded and stepped towards Killian who seemed to read her mind and pulled her further away from their friends who were already locked in a kiss.
"You look breathtakingly beautiful, love." He bowed over her hand and kissed her fingers.
"You clean up nicely," Emma said, smiling as she took in his attire. He was dressed to the nines in a tailored suit, and bowtie looking very much the huge famous star he was.
"That dress… wow." He swiped his free hand over his mouth.
"Ruby found it." Emma shrugged still not used to all this dressing up whenever they went out to even get a cocktail or even just pizza.
"Shall we go pull the lovebirds apart and get going?" Killian suggested with a laugh.
Emma called out, "Hey, stop smooching, we got a premier to attend."
Ruby and Graham pulled apart and Emma had to laugh when noticing Ruby's lipstick smudged over Graham's lips.
"Ruby," Emma called out before slipping into the limo. "You might want to lend your boyfriend something to clean your lips from his face."
Ruby stuck out her tongue and followed them to the limo, but managed to find a tissue and helped Graham rub off the lipstick before applying the deep red colour to her lips again.
The group of friends had a blast driving through the streets, drinking champagne and retelling stories from the movie set. Killian and Graham also shared embarrassing stories from their time on tour.
Once they reached the theatre where the premiere was taking place, Emma got more and more nervous. Killian seemed to have taken notice because he leaned closer and whispered, "Don't worry love, I'll be right beside you all night."
"Thanks," Emma replied, grateful for her observant boyfriend.
Killian let Graham go out first so he could assist his date out of the limo.
"Ready?" Killian asked as he slipped out of his seat, reaching his hand inside.
Emma grasped his hand like a life raft and whispered, "As ready as I can ever be."
Stepping out onto the sidewalk, hearing the crowd scream startled her. She knew the film had been hyped up to be the new blockbuster, but this crowd was more than she'd imagined. Sharp light nearly blinded her as she took in the scene.
"Breathe, love," Killian whispered near her ear.
"I never thought there'd be so many people here."
"Well, your book is amazing and now everyone will see the story play out on the big screen."
Emma shook her head in wonder, still remembering how she'd struggled to get the story just right. And now here she was, on a big premiere day to see her story come to life. All the hype about the movie had certainly also improved the sales numbers on her book. Belle had, only days before, given her an update on book sales.
"That's Emma Swan!" Someone from the crowd shouted, and she heard a few more shouts over the chaos about her book and then someone noticed Killian by her side.
"That's Killian Jones." Several female screams rolled towards them, and Emma chuckled when she looked up at her boyfriend. She couldn't blame the fans for loving this man, gods he was handsome.
Killian took her hand, and she stepped in next to him and they walked to the red carpet. She tried to ignore the fans screaming, but she waved and smiled at them.
They entered the large lobby where a press line was set up. It was this part that Emma didn't look forward to.
Ruby and Graham were already halfway down the line and Emma looked up at Killian, "Are you my boyfriend?"
Killian chuckled and leaned closer. "I would say that I'm very much your boyfriend." He attempted to wink, but it ended in that adorable part wink she'd seen him do so many times as a teenager when he tried being the cool guy.
Emma flushed. "Well you know we've been on several dates now but we never, you know, put a label to it."
"And you want to do this here, moments before meeting the wolves there." Killian shook his head, kissed her cheek, and whispered, "Come now girlfriend, we got a press line-up to meet."
It took Emma a few moments to compose herself so she barely heard the first question Killian was now answering.
"Yes, it's been a great new experience for me being in a movie."
"Will we see you in anything else?" The reporter asked.
"I won't be opposed to that, should the opportunity show itself." Killian gently rubbed over her fingers as if he felt how nervous she was despite him speaking with the press.
"Any new music coming from you soon?"
"We're in the pre-production stage at the moment. But after all the hubbub of this movie deal has slowed down, we'll take a few months in the studio working through some new material." Killian glanced at Emma. "There might be some new inspiration, who knows."
"Are you Emma Swan?" The reporter suddenly showed her recorder to Emma.
"Yes."
"You wrote the book, The Mob Princess and her Singer?"
"Yes… I wrote the book." Emma managed to say.
"I saw the trailer, and it looks amazing." The reporter gushed before continuing. "So how do you find life in the movie business?"
"A little crazy." Emma chuckled nervously. "I mean, I've lived my whole life in a little seaside town in Maine. This is so different."
"So what is your next project?"
"Oh, ah, yeah, that is still a bit of a work in progress."
"No other movie deal?"
"Not as of now, no." Emma shrugged. "I'd love to be working with Mills Movies again though. They've been so kind throughout this whole process."
"Are you dating Killian Jones?" The reporter waved her recorder between them, and a wolfish gleam twinkled in her eyes, clearly she smelled a story here.
"Aye, we're dating." Killian cut in and sent Emma a big smile.
"Did you meet on set?"
"We did," Emma said with a smile, squeezing Killian's hand, hoping he understood her need for the press to not know about their past.
Someone called out down the line and Killian gently urged Emma along. "You're doing great Emma," he reassured her.
Emma was grateful for being there with Killian, he was a huge support and it eased her heart whenever he stepped in if the reporters asked something she'd rather not answer. The walk down the line seemed endless, and Emma's head throbbed.
The last reporter asked, "So Emma, will you be staying here in LA?"
"No, I'll be going back home to Storybrooke, I need a bit of time to process this whole experience. And continue writing my next novel."
"Ah, I know a lot of your readers are anxiously waiting for that fantasy novel you're working on."
Emma gave the man a tight smile, clearly, this one had read up on her social media.
"It's a longer process than what I usually write, but I assure you it will come out," Emma said.
"We'll be looking forward to that." The reporter turned to Killian. "Will you be joining Miss Swan in Storybrooke?"
"I don't know…" Killian glanced at Emma. "I'll be spending some time in the studio with my band, but who knows, perhaps later on?"
"Some peace and quiet time together in a small town sounds downright romantic." The reporter gushed and then blinked his beady eyes between them.
"Yeah well, it's not really your business if Killian joins me there or not is it?" Emma felt the sharpness of her voice but right now a headache had settled in and she was sick and tired of all the questions at this moment.
"Well, we're allowed to be a little curious, right?"
Emma gaped at the man, then huffed and pulled Killian along.
"Emma, are you okay?" Killian followed her into a smaller hallway, leading them away from the hustle and bustle in the lobby.
"No, I'm not okay, that guy overstepped his boundaries." Emma huffed and took a deep breath.
"He was an arsehole, yes. But don't let one creep get into your head. You're bound to run into one or two here in Hollywood."
"Then I'm not so sure I want to be in Hollywood anymore." Emma stepped into his arms and rested her head on his chest.
"It will be good for you to go back home." He kissed the top of her head. "I'll miss you."
"Come with me?" She looked up at him hopefully.
"I'll join you for Halloween, how does that sound?"
"I like the sound of that." Emma leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
"Hey you two, get your asses in the theatre, the show is about to start," Ruby called from behind them. She waggled her eyebrows when Emma passed her. "So what have you two lovebirds been up to back there in the dark."
"Shut up." Emma looked at her friend. "Your lipstick is smudged again."
"What can I say he can't keep his paws to himself." Ruby barked out a laugh as she found a pocket mirror and fixed her makeup.
"Oy, I don't need to hear details about what my band members do outside the stage." Killian admonished with a laugh.
Ruby rolled her eyes at him and walked to the entrance where Graham met her.
Emma and Killian found their seats. Soon after the movie began, and as the first scenes played over the large screen Emma had to pinch herself. This had to be a dream, that was her story being played up on the big screen, with her old childhood friend playing the lead role. The man who sat beside her, his hand curled around hers, fingers weaved together. She snuggled closer and rested her head on his shoulder as the movie played.
The applause that sounded after the credits had finished was deafening, and Emma smiled at the people around her. This could be her new life, being part of something as big as making a movie. The headache from earlier had subsided, so she agreed to join her friends and Killian's band in celebrating the evening. She knew photos were taken of them, but for now, she tried to ignore it, this could end up being her everyday life. Being with Killian would include being in the spotlight like this. Yet she couldn't wait for him to join her in Storybrooke next month.
ONE MONTH LATER -Storybrooke
Emma's fingers flew over the keyboard, her mind swirling with the next scenes she wanted to write. Some parts were still only notes, and other scenes were already finished or as finished as a first draft could be. Her time back home had rejuvenated her muse, and she found it easier to write these days. She missed Killian but they had FaceTimed every day, some days even more than once. The band's studio time seemed to go smoothly, and he'd given her small glimpses of the new songs they'd been working on. Her face always felt a little warmer whenever he'd sing for her. Once, Belle had caught her grinning stupidly as Killian's voice sounded in her earbuds.
She'd picked one of Killian's earliest albums as her writing soundtrack this afternoon, and her muse sent more and more great ideas down to her fingers.
Emptying the cocoa Belle had made for her, she glanced around the little bookshop. She still worked there, but even outside of work hours, Emma stayed behind to write. Belle was more than happy to have her sitting at the little round table. "It gives the place a little more life," she'd said.
Belle came out from the back rooms and looked at Emma. "Taking a break?"
"Yeah, I think I got it all jotted down for the next chapter, but my mind is a bit mush right now." She rubbed over her tired eyes. "Think I might call it a night."
"It's important to know when to take a break or it will burn you out." Belle agreed, placing the stack of books on the counter. "These will have to find their shelves tomorrow, I'm locking up."
Emma packed up her laptop while Belle walked to the entrance. The bell above the door jingled.
"Sorry, we're closed," Belle said to whomever had tried to enter. Emma was crouching down by the table, stuffing her laptop into her backpack.
"I'm looking for Emma." Killian's voice sounded.
"Killian." Emma nearly stumbled over the chair on her way around it, she rushed down the aisle, and soon her eyes landed on Killian waiting by the entrance. A huge grin spread over his handsome face. She stopped to take a deep breath. "You're early?"
"Do you want me to leave again?"
"No… shit, no please don't go." Emma's words were a jumble but she didn't care as she rushed towards him. He opened his arms and wrapped her in a hug. "I'm just surprised to see you today, you said you'd come Saturday."
"I got off the hook a few days early, so, yeah, here I am." Killian nuzzled into her neck. "Gods I missed you, Emma."
Emma pulled back and cupped his face with her hands. "I missed you too." As if on their own accord they both leaned in and closed the gap between them. It felt amazing being with him again, feeling his lips press against hers was like coming back home to a safe place. This was where she'd wanted to be for the rest of her life.
"Ah, mind if I lock the door?" Belle's voice interrupted them, making them both jump apart.
"Ah, sorry lass," Killian mumbled, swiping over his mouth and giving Belle a sheepish grin. "I just missed Emma here you see."
"I can see that," Belle smirked and stepped around them to lock the door.
"I'm sorry Belle that you had to witness that," Emma said as she wrapped her fingers with Killian's.
"Don't worry, I know you missed your man there, you've been moping a bit." Belle chuckled and stepped over to the counter. "Every time the muse was being a bitch to her I had to hear her moan about how much she missed you."
"Oh, yeah Killian this is Belle, my boss and my PR guru, aka my social media assistant." Emma waved her hand toward her boss.
"Nice to meet you, Belle."
"Likewise." Belle smiled.
"Belle, this is Killian, my boyfriend."
"Yeah, I know." Belle winked. "You listen to his music all the time."
"You do?" Killian sounded genuinely surprised.
Emma looked up at her boyfriend, "Don't get too full of yourself mister, but some of your earlier stuff is kinda feeding my muse at the moment."
"So not always?"
Emma shrugged. "It depends on the mood I need for the part I'm writing."
"Ah, I see."
"I'm closing up now so can you continue this outside?" Belle had already found her coat and bag.
Emma rushed over to find her own backpack and hurried over to Killian. They both followed Belle out of the backdoor to the little shop.
Outside Belle bid them farewell, leaving them alone in the back alley.
"Wanna grab dinner?" Killian asked.
"Yeah…" Emma trailed off suddenly remembering. "My parents are expecting me for dinner tonight."
"Ah." Killian rubbed behind his ear. "Guess I should have called you first?"
"No." Emma stepped over to him, placing her hands on his chest. "I liked the surprise. You can join us for dinner. I'm sure they'll love to meet you."
Killian's eyes blew wide as if something scared him.
"What's the matter, scared of meeting the parents." Emma chuckled. "Come on they know you from when you were a teenager."
"Have you told them about us?"
"Unfortunately, my parents got the news about us through the press." Emma looked down. "My father wasn't impressed, but I told them how we met. And they can't wait to meet you."
"Alright then." Killian took a deep breath and wrapped his hand around hers. "Let's go to family dinner then."
"You'll be fine, they'll love you," Emma said, then leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked the short distance to her parent's house. Her mind was still trying to catch up to the fact that Killian was here with her in Storybrooke.