Despite the fact that her nose was half buried in the pillow that smelled of the spicy scent of her boyfriend, Emma was also quite sure that she could smell the coffee percolating. In addition to its heavenly aroma, she knew it was a sign that things were transitioning from summer to fall in their sleepy little town. Normally she bought her latte or some other concoction on the way to work, saving Killian the trouble of getting up too early on his summer break. However, preplanning meant that she was up and about, fixing breakfast and shaving time off her commute.

"You look comfortable," he said, obviously having come to check on her. Her hours were not usually that firm, but a morning meeting with Regina meant that she needed to be in the office earlier than she normally made it. Still, he seemed quite amused that she was burrowed into his pillow with tangled hair crowning her head and one of his shirts riding up her thighs. "Can't convince you to laze about this morning with me? Call in sick?"

She grunted in reply that he could be up at such an hour, showered, dressed, and looking collected as she pushed her hair from her face and looked about the crowded room as though she wasn't sure where she was for a second. "Meeting with Regina…"

"Ahhh," he said, placing the black mug on the night stand like a hunter setting a trap. He ignored the rumpled sheets and comforter that was barely on the bed's corner, sitting amidst the mess and cupping his still warm from the mug hand over her cheek. "I hope that meeting goes well, love. I know you worry about them."

"She can be a bit of a pain," Emma confided, leaning in for a quick kiss that quickly dissolved into a succession. "Drives me insane with demands that no human could possible perform. It's like she's the queen and we are all just her subjects doing her bidding."

"And what does the queen wish of you today, love? Monuments in her honor or some other sacrifice?" He had met her a few times, usually when she came as Robin's date for some event or another. The two of them had a strange relationship, as far as he could tell. They were clearly in love and spent more time together than apart. Robin's apartment was rarely used and rumor had it that even Roland had a newly decorated room in the mansion that Regina had purchased some years ago. However, they were secretive about their relationship, rarely sitting together in public and displaying no affection at all. Liam compared it to one of those relationships that Killian saw of his middle grades students who were couples in name only and spent most of their time with friends rather than each other.

"I think it is about the song you wrote," Emma said, tilting her head into his palm and feeling a bit like a cat seeking out friendliness and attention. "She likes what Elsa was doing with it and suggested that it might have some commercial appeal."

He tilted back, staring out through his impossibly dark lashes at her. "Seriously, love? I thought that was just a gift for the bride and groom."

She shrugged, fishing her hand out for her drink. "It is, but Mary Margaret said that if it helped Elsa or you, she's all for selling it to the label. It could mean a nice royalty check for you. I know you aren't…"

"Don't let me be the one to stand in the way of something for Elsa," Killian assured, pulling the mug out of her hand and taking a sip himself. "I don't think my brother would forgive me for that. And it might be a bit exciting to think that something I wrote is being so well received."

***AAA***

Killian shoved the phone back into his pocket and turned back to the stack of chairs that would soon be spread out in a semi-circle for his band and orchestra classes. Normally he did these tasks himself, a bit difficult with only one hand but he was capable. This year several of his current and former students had volunteered. Reluctant to accept their help, it was Henry who had said it would be fine and jumped in to schedule everyone. That left the task of emailing lesson and unit plans to the office, as well as ensuring that the names on the rolls and rosters matched the electronic gradebook.

Despite the tension of dealing with Mr. Gold, it felt so much better to have his relationship with Emma out in the open. Not only did he have a photo of the two of them, as well as one of them with Elsa and Liam, he knew that he would not have to deal with the suggestions of dates and awkward moments from co-workers who happened to have extra tickets to every event imaginable. While his phone had quite a few photos of him with Henry on various summer adventures, he had elected not to display those in the idea that other students might get the wrong impression of favoritism.

Belle Gold interrupted his thoughts, stepping into the large music room and scanning her eyes across the forming space. "Are you here?"

Most of the faculty appreciated the fact that the dress code was not enforced for these days, allowing jeans and flip flops instead of more business attire. Belle's dress was hardly casual though. She wore a flowered peasant dress the flared out over her hips and maintained its full shape to just above her knees. Her petite frame was heightened a good three inches by her impossibly tall shoes. "Of course," he said, poking his head out of the supply closet that would soon be the resting spot for all his students' instruments between classes. It was probably the neatest at this point that it would be all year. "Looks as though it has been a restful summer for you."

The raven haired beauty smiled brightly, smoothing her dress with one hand. "It was, but way too short. I had all these plans for novels I was going to read. And I wanted to take a few day trips to a few places where some of my favorite authors were inspired. There's never enough time though."

"No, there isn't," Killian agreed, stepping into the room with a gesture toward a few of the unstacked chairs. "So what has you visiting this end of the school?"

Belle sat very primly in the chair that was designed for younger students, her years in the school and small frame making it easier than it was for Killian to fold up into it. "Get right to the point, I suppose. Robert…I hope you know that he does mean well. I know the business this summer was unfortunate.

But no grudges, right?"

Arching an eyebrow, he fought the urge to laugh. "Are you asking me if I have any or telling me that he doesn't?"

"I suppose that would be a bit much to expect. Anyway, I hope that if anything, you came away with the knowledge that you are loved and respected here. We all want you around. Everyone was eager to help." She laced her fingers together on her lap. "So when I say this next part, I hope you understand that we all want you to stay."

He didn't argue that Gold clearly didn't, instead waiting curiously for her to finish. "Aye, the support is quite overwhelming."

"Yes, it often is when we realize how important we are to people. I know that you were looking at other possibilities when your job seemed in jeopardy. Nobody can blame you for that. It could have gone quite badly for you." She bunched and released a bit of the material. "I have a good friend in Boston. She and I studied in graduate school together. I haven't seen her in years, but we keep in touch on Facebook and such. I mean it's not the same, but you know…Anyway…she told me of a position they have open for their public school system. Coordinator and director of music programs throughout the system. Very prestigious and quite well compensated too."

"Sounds as though it would be."

"And you are familiar with it," Belle prodded. "Don't worry I haven't said anything to anyone. But I know you interviewed."

"Aye, but I have not heard anything on it and assumed…"

"She said they are going to call and offer it to you today," Belle interrupted in a rush. "She's very reliable on these things and well…I hope you know that you are very much loved and respected here. It's not easy, but we are a family here and I hope…I hope you remember that when you're making a decision. I'd hate to see you leave."

***AAA***

Killian was the most punctual and organized person Emma had ever met, sometimes to the point of annoyance. He arrived everywhere a few minutes early – not enough to be obtrusive, but just the right amount of time that he was settled before the scheduled meeting or activity. His mind was sharp with an itinerary and alternate plans just in case of an emergency. He claimed it came from his brief stint in the Navy – though he couldn't explain why his brother didn't share that fortitude.

So when Emma arrived at Granny's to meet with Elsa and Liam that afternoon to discuss plans for the wedding and recording the song Killian had written, she was surprised by her boyfriend's absence. Throwing a furtive glance around the half-filled diner, she did not see him at all. Frowning, she scooted into the booth and leaned in to kiss Liam's cheek and then Elsa's.

"Did I get the time wrong?" she asked, her lips tightening in confused sort of smile. "Were we supposed to meet an hour from now?"

Liam lifted two fingers to signal the server to bring another menu. "As amazing as it seems, he is late. I am quite worried about the bloke."

Elsa looked over Emma's shoulder and smiled sympathetically. "Maybe traffic is bad? He could be hung up with something at work." Pre-planning had already started with the teachers racing about to finish their classrooms. Even Mary Margaret was pushing off duties for the wedding to make sure that her classroom was perfect for the substitute and eventually her return. However, Killian was a little more utilitarian than any of his co-workers. His bulletin boards were typically schedules and seating charts. There were no behavior posters or motivational sayings. His students sat in assigned seats based on their instruments and chair placement so there was no need for name tags. His lesson plans were nearly complete. So Emma did not even consider that it could be work holding him up.

Still she seemed hopeful as she scrolled through her phone for a missed message or other clue. "Maybe?" Finding no clue or message, she was attempting to call him when he rushed in through the door. His hair seemed to curl at the ends from both its length and sweat. His breathing labored, he muttered an apology and buried his face in the menu as though he had never seen it.

"Are you okay?" Emma asked, clearly worried at his frazzled appearance and dazed expression. When he didn't answer, she nudged him gently and then a bit harder. "Seriously? Are you alright?"

"Fine," he said, widening his eyes to indicate his readiness for this conversation. "So what is it that Regina said that has you…"

"She's ready to move forward with the song," Emma said after a sigh and another curious glance at her boyfriend. "Of course Elsa would sing it, but she was saying she thinks it might sell better as a duet. I'm afraid with the duet between Liam and Elsa dropping next week that we might be pushing it to add another with you two so soon."

Liam chuckled, rubbing his thumb across Elsa's hand. "You want her to sing a long song with someone else? Isn't that…"

It was Elsa's turn to laugh as she reached over and pinched her boyfriend's cheek. "You're so cute. You really think that every duo singing a duet is in love? I can give you hundreds of examples of just the opposite."

Emma glanced over at Killian who was scrolling through his phone and humming under his breath. "Regina actually suggested Killian since he wrote the song and she's heard the rough cuts with him. I told her that he wasn't interested, but she's insisting that I ask." This won no response from him, which certainly concerned her. "And I didn't know if Elsa would be okay with that either…"

The other blonde peered over her menu at Killian. "I don't think it would be a bad idea. He and Liam have similar enough voices that on the road…"

"You're going to sing a love song with my brother?" Liam demanded, clenching his jaw tightly. "I know you might collaborate with other acts, but this is a bit…I don't know…incestuous."

"He's your brother, not mine," Elsa insisted back. "I'm not singing a love ballad with Anna for goodness sakes."

Liam continued to grumble as Elsa reassured him and Emma watched Killian with concern. "Are you sure, you're okay? Did something happen at work?"

"Fine," he said, leaning over and planting his lips against her cheek. "I'm sorry, love. I need to go and talk to someone. Look whatever Regina wants to do with the song is fine. I'm up for it. Just let me know."

"Wait," Liam called after him. "Are you serious? You're willing to record the song? With Elsa? Killian, you haven't set foot in a studio in…"

"I'm sure it will work out. Just let me know," he repeated, throwing his hand up in greeting and almost dropping the phone. "I can't stay."

***AAA***

"It was weird, right? I mean he was late. He's never late. But he was weird." Liam slathered a thick layer of mustard on the bread, inspected it and then dipped the knife back in the yellow substance before adding more to it. "My brother is a bloody fool…"

"He was distracted," Elsa agreed, stealing a chip off of his plate and crunching down on it loudly. "I don't think it means anything. Something probably just happened at work."

"Right," Liam said, nodding in an exaggerated slowness. "It's hardly our concern right. Except that Emma looked like…"

"I'm sure it is nothing," Elsa repeated. She didn't want to add that she had listened to Emma wonder all afternoon about the lunch incident. Clearly something was up with Killian. She knew that despite his need to call Killian out on it, Liam would eventually side with him and Elsa with Emma. It could throw a wrench into their relationship.

"He's a bloody fool," the man repeated. "Did Emma seem…I mean I know she plays it pretty close to the vest, but did she…"

"She was concerned, but very business-like. Professional, you know…"

Lifting the sandwich up, Liam stopped just short of taking a big bite of it. "Elsa, I don't mean to harp on this, but that man who was nervous and jittery. That wasn't my brother. My brother holds Emma's hand under the table. He stares at her like every word she says is bloody brilliant. He's fascinated by her. But that man today wasn't him. He was barely paying attention, dismissive, uninterested in her. He avoided her eyes, barely acknowledged her, rushed out there without even…I don't get it. She didn't say anything about a row, did she?"

Elsa twisted the long chain of her necklace, frowning. "No, but I don't…Well, she's pretty private about her private life. I mean I know you're his brother, but…"

"She looked surprised by his behavior. If they had been fighting, you'd think he would have been all over her to apologize. He thought she was angry about him buying a different brand of cereal and practically wept at her feet over it. My brother is not subtle when it comes to those things."

"I suppose not," she agreed. "Why are you making dinner? We have the rehearsal dinner tonight."

Throwing the sandwich back down on the plate, he frowned. "I needed something to do with my hands."

She uncrossed her feet and swung one out to kick him lightly. "Come on, chef. Let's get ready and get to the banquet hall. I'm sure that there will be food there. And who knows? Maybe your brother will be back to his old self."

***AAA***

"What's up with Killian?" Henry asked as he took a break from pouting that his mother wasn't going to let him wear a Star Wars shirt and board shorts to the dinner. It had been a short but intense battle that Killian had missed as he paced on the deck and talked on his phone.

"What?" Emma asked, digging in her purse to make sure she had everything she wanted to bring with her. "I'm sorry, Henry."

"Is it contagious? You and Killian are both really weird tonight." Her son was perceptive, but he was also kind and caring. Still, the fact was that he was annoyed that both adults were ignoring him. "Mom, I'm not a kid. I'll be 13 in a week. I can handle it."

"Sorry, kid," she said, emphasizing the three letter word. "I'm not sure I know what's going on myself. But I promise to tell you anything that affects you, okay?"

He nodded, shooting his gaze in direction of where Killian was still pacing. "We're going to have to move again? You're breaking up?"

She dropped the single earring back into her bag. "Nobody said anything about that." She dug her hand back into the leather recesses. "Why don't you check in with your dad? I think he said he would pick you up after this thing."

When she heard the door shut behind Henry, she made her way with purpose toward the glass doors. Eavesdropping wasn't really her thing, but she was prepared if necessary. Thankfully Killian's phone call was over. Standing with his shoulders hunched, he was staring out at the water lapping up on the shore, though she had to wonder if he was seeing anything at all with the distant look in his eyes.

"Killian?"

"Aye, love, it's me," he said, laughing momentarily at his little joke. "I'm sorry. I know I have been a bit out of sorts."

"You have me worried. What's going on?" She pushed her hand through her hair to hold it in the growing wind from a storm somewhere off shore. It seemed a shame to try to clip or tie it back since she had worked so hard to curl and fashion it to fall in waves down her back. The style seemed to match her soft green dress with the crisscrossing straps over her shoulders that created an almost web of material that culminated at the small of her back. The layers of filmy skirt swished around her thighs and a silvery necklace hung just over her cleavage. He was looking at her appreciatively and maybe a bit hungrily when he turned to face her.

"You know that job I applied for…" It came out in a rush, all the details of Belle's visit and the phone call offer that he received just as he was leaving to meet them for lunch. His words were practically stringing together as he explained that it was more money than he could ever have dreamed of earning.

"I wouldn't expect you to pack up and move," he added hastily. "I know Henry's settled here. I mean we could look at that in the future, but for now we could see each other on the weekends and holidays. Just for a bit until we decide…"

She closed her eyes, not wanting to see his hopeful expression or the way he was talking around the fact that he was essentially saying that he was leaving her. She knew those words, knew the tone of a man who was about to talk about how it would be hard but he owed it to himself to try this. And she had no doubt that he would try. There would be rushed weekends together until their schedules wouldn't allow. Phone calls would become shorter and more distracted. He would mention friends she would never meet. There would not be a big blow up or fight. It…their relationship…would just wither on the vine until he would admit that he had met someone new. She drew in a breath before congratulating him.

"That's great," she said with as much enthusiasm as she could manage. "I know you will be great at that. And Boston…I lived there once. It was great."

"So you'd consider it?" he asked, a bit taken aback when she literally stepped away from him and toward the door. "Moving there with me? We could go down and look for places next week. There are some great schools for Henry. I thought you might want more time, but…"

"I can't move Henry right now," she said, looking back to where the boy in question had draped himself over the chair as he waited with his handheld game. "He's got another year of middle school left. And his dad's here. They are just getting to the point…it wouldn't be fair."

"No, I'm sorry. I understand, love. I was just thinking that perhaps…"

"But this job…this opportunity is great. I think you should do it if you want to do it. I mean what is the point of working if you aren't happy and making a living at it, right? And you'll love Boston. Right there on the water. So many great people. Bars. Nightlife. You'll have a blast…And I know Liam will love visiting you there. He'll probably come up with a million reasons to visit without ever admitting that he misses you." She hoped that her smile was not wavering, but her bottom lip seemed to her to tremble uncontrollably.

"And you, love?" he asked hesitantly.

"I'll miss you too…"

He raked his hand over his face and frowned, turning back to the water. "I'm an arse for even thinking that I could disrupt your life and Henry's. Love, I'm sorry. I'll turn it down. I love my job here…"

"No, you shouldn't turn it down. It's too good. And who knows. Maybe things…"

"Emma, if I took the job, it's not going to change how I feel about you. Bloody hell, I'd travel every weekend and every night if I had to do it. I want you in my life. That's not changed."

Using the tip of her finger, she touched at the corner of her eye. "We can talk about it later," she said firmly. "We need to go. Mary Margaret and David are expecting us."

***AAA***

Elsa felt slightly out of place sitting with Mary Margaret's two attendants since she was performing and not standing up with the bride and groom. They may have been friends, but it still felt a bit like a mismatch as the two women discussed their dresses who would hold the bride's flowers during the exchanging of the rings and who would try to keep the flower girl, Alexandra, from running back down the aisle screaming.

She did not even get to talk to Emma until Ruby disappeared to check on plans for an impromptu party at the bar. Sensing that time was of the essence, the blonde singer scooted her chair closer and placed a hand over Emma's. "Is everything…"

"I really can't talk about it right now," Emma interrupted, pulling her hand away. "I appreciate the gesture, but if I let myself think about it or talk about it, I'm going to go nuts. And then I'll start crying. Besides the fact that I hate letting anyone see me cry, I'm not entirely sure I can stop this time."

"He's an idiot," Elsa confirmed more to herself than Emma, slumping back against the padding of the chair. "I thought he was going to propose and he wants to break up?"

Emma dropped her head to her folded arms. "No," she said in a muffled tone. "Not exactly."

"What exactly is going on?" Elsa asked, attempting to wave away Ruby who had returned. It did no good, as Ruby joined them with curiosity dancing in her bright eyes. "What did he say?"

Despite her protests that she didn't want to talk about it, Emma found herself telling both of them about Killian's job offer and subsequent plans. She shrugged though her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "I don't know. Maybe it could work."

Ruby cast a glance over to where Killian sat with Henry. It was clear the man was suffering, probably aching to be closer to Emma. However, he was relegated to that table while Emma suffered more than 100 feet away. "What did he say when you told him you wanted him to stay?"

"I didn't," Emma said. "He wants the job. I can't stand in the way of that. What kind of person would I be if I…"

"So you're moving then?" Elsa asked, looking downward. "I'm sure Regina would let you keep managing us. We could skype and talk on the phone. Once Anna has the baby, we'll be touring all the time anyway…"

"I can't move Henry," she said, her voice cracking. "Neal's just finally stepping up to the plate as a father. I can't pull them apart now. It wouldn't be fair."

Ruby snorted, earning a stern glance from her grandmother and a few of the more proper women. "You think that Neal wouldn't rush off to another state if given the opportunity. You'd be lucky if he sent Henry a postcard on the way out of town. No, you're not using that jerk as an excuse. Why are you really freaking out? Is it because this could be it…forget proposals and happily ever after in the cottage by the sea. You and Killian and Henry could really have a real life together without friends, Liam, and the rest of Storybrooke?"

Emma waved a hand in front of her face. "It's not that. I'm not scared…"

"Petrified?" Ruby suggested to a frowning Elsa.

"Maybe you aren't," Elsa considered slowly. "Maybe it's just that you know that this is a big deal and you're realizing that for once in your life that you're enough."

"I thought you studied musical theater," Ruby groused, throwing her head back to down the rest of her drink. "Seems more like psychology."

"No, I just come from a situation where sometimes I didn't feel like I was enough. My parents had me and my mom almost died giving birth. But I wasn't enough so she risked her life to have Anna. They were always happiest when Anna was with them. With me it was like they were waiting for Anna to arrive. I was never enough. When I dated I wasn't enough. The list goes on, but I think that maybe Emma has those feelings too." She reached back to squeeze Emma's hand. "And I'm here to tell you that you're more than enough for that man. He is crazy about you. He'd do anything for you, including giving up that job. So just tell him what you want."

As Emma remained silent, Ruby narrowed her alcohol fuzzy eyes back at her friends. "That's it," she said in a softer voice than most inebriated people used. "Neal…when he left you. He said you weren't enough. He needed something more…"

Emma nodded almost imperceptibly and said one name. "And the Swans."

"Oh God," Ruby said, placing her own hands on top of Elsa's that were on top of Emma's. "That was all them. They were stupid and moronic people. The Swans, the foster people from hell, the group homes, the kids, that asshole, Neal. All of them were looking for something that doesn't exist and never saw you for who you are, Emma. Killian Jones sees you. He knows you. And the fact that the man keeps coming back for more means that he isn't going to run. He loves you. You didn't doubt that until today. So quit it. Quit letting yourself think that what happened with Neal is going to happen with Killian."

"Now who's sounding like a psychologist?" Elsa teased. "But Ruby's right."

"If I ask him to stay, he might regret it. He might blame me."

"He might," Ruby agreed, managing to miss Elsa's kick to silence her. "But he will still be there with you. And I bet that your future with him will be better than any silly job. I get that your childhood sucked. I know what it's like to get rejected by your parents – biological or otherwise. But you can't live your life trying to predict when that is going to happen. You're not always going to know. And if you try, you're going to miss out on some great things. Not everyone rejects you, Em. I haven't. Mary Margaret, Anna, Elsa, Henry, my grandmother, David, Graham, August, Liam, Robin, and the list goes on. But at the top of it is Killian Freaking Jones. So get your head out of your butt and go tell him what you want. You might figure out that it is what he wants too."

She shook her head. "I can't be the reason he isn't happy," she said, standing up. "I know you mean well, but this isn't something you can fix."

***AAA***

"Emma, I think we should talk," Killian said suddenly as the jeep hummed along the seaside road that wound through the thick trees with occasional glimpses of the water. Not even the radio was playing, the couple sitting in relative silence as the distance between them and Neal's place became greater.

She was not really responsive, sort of shrugging her shoulders as she twisted to face her window. A quick glance in her direction afforded him to see the deep set frown reflected back in the window. "Maybe grab a bite and eat on the deck?"

"Killian," she said, laboring over the name. "We don't have to drag this out. I know you want to take the job." She still didn't turn, tugging on the shoulder strap of her seatbelt in frustration. "I can understand that. It's more money. More prestige. I get it. I would want it too. And maybe we can work things out in the future. You know, Henry'll be starting high school soon. I could look for…"

"Emma, I'm not taking the job," he answered firmly. "It isn't worth it."

She whipped her head quickly toward him. "You don't want it?"

"I want you. I want Henry. I don't want to watch you from afar and feel like I can't smile at you or kiss you. I don't want phone calls and hurried trips. It's a job, love. Just a job. I can find...I can find another one if it is something we both feel I should do. But I'm okay staying a teacher. I rather like teaching." He tapped his thumb erratically on the steering wheel he was gripping. "I know you would rather I had some other sort of…"

She cranked her neck back and closed her eyes. "Can we just stop? I don't want you to be anything other than who you are? If you want to write music, great. If you want to perform, I will help set that up for you. But if you want to teach, then I'm happy you are doing what you want to do. Damn it, Killian, stop acting like I am pushing you into something more. I fell in love with Killian the teacher who has an amazing heart and loves me and my son. I fell in love with the man who thinks about lesson plans in the middle of the night and can't wait to write them down. I can't live without the man who considers it a bad day when his students don't understand a concept and celebrates good grades. I adore the man who sings to me when we're out on your boat and tells me that I inspire him. That man is you, Killian. And so no, I'm not pushing you to change. The idea of you changing scares the hell out of me. But what I want most of all is for you to be happy. And if you want to change, then do it. I will happily comply. I'm just saying that you can't blame me for it. I didn't ask it of you…"

The tires on the jeep protested as he swerved off the road and locked down the brakes, both of them lurching forward and back again with grunts. "I can't drive and have this conversation."

She looked confused by that, but she didn't ask. Instead, she stared into the darkening thicket with feigned interest. "Ok."

"Milah," he said, stopping for a moment at that name. "She…she had plans, dreams really. We were going to be rich and famous. I was going to be a musician and she was going to do all of my publicity. She wanted…she wanted me to be more than I was. And that's lovely, I suppose because she pushed me. Then…then it was too much."

"Too much?"

"There was a reality show, sort of like the ones here that pit you against others and the prize is cash and a contract. She signed me up for it, never asked. I asked her that night if we might consider moving our relationship forward and getting married. She told me that I wasn't ready for that. Said I couldn't support myself, let along someone else. Then she launched this idea about the show as we were driving back with Robin and his first wife, Marian. I was furious." Though they were stopped, Killian's eyes were still trained ahead and his hand gripped the wheel tightly. "I was bloody well furious at her, told her as much too. She was adamant that I wasn't good enough yet. I wasn't worthy of her. Marian was trying to calm us down, told us to be quiet before we said something we regretted."

Realization hit Emma suddenly. The car accident that had taken Killian's hand had taken Marian and Milah that night too. He was telling her about that night, explaining that haunted look in his eyes that was eclipsed by one of her own. Reaching a hand out to his forearm, she was not all that shocked when he pulled away from her.

"I told Milah that I would never be good enough and that we should end it. I started that night with a ring in my pocket for her and yet there I was telling her that I couldn't be with her anymore. I couldn't keep beating myself up over imagined failures in her eyes. It was just too much." His eyes dropped downward as he swallowed hard. "I didn't hear her response. I didn't see the other car cross the line and hit us. We spun to the left and the passenger side was hit by the lorry that was behind us. Milah and Marian took the brunt of it."

She knew why he stopped the jeep, not wanting to have the same conversation with her as he had with Milah in a moving vehicle. She breathed out, attempting to cease the pictures in her mind. Liam had shown her a picture of Milah before, commenting that his brother had gone against type in falling in love with her. The woman had been tall with dark curling hair and eyes so bright they seemed to glow from within. Her head was tilted and the grin on her full lips was one that seemed friendly and flirty as she sat perched on Killian's lap, her hand over his around her waist. "It wasn't your fault," she offered weakly. Platitudes, she supposed, were the worst form of sympathy. She knew from her own past that people offered them like candy.

Exhaling through his nose, he finally turned his head toward her. "It was a tragic accident. It was the other driver's fault. I know all that. I bloody hear it all the time. I moved here after I recovered enough and became a teacher. It would have pissed her off to know that I gave up performing to teach. And yet I…"

"You're good at it," Emma said with a firmness that didn't overwhelm the care she was trying to show. "Henry used to come home and tell me how awesome you were in the classroom that day. I…I'm proud of that, Killian. My job may have a bigger salary or a glitzier title, but it doesn't do anything. I don't have the opportunity to change things like you do. I don't get to see the things you see. So if Milah would have been ashamed of that, it's on her. Teaching makes you happy. I know that. You know that. And if anyone thinks otherwise, well, they are idiots."

"A teacher is good enough for you?" he asked hesitantly.

"You've always been good enough," she said back emphatically. "Damn, I think you just proved Ruby right. Maybe we're both good enough but we just don't believe that about our selves."

"I know you hate it when she is right," he teased. His hand finally left the steering wheel, for a moment reaching for her and then retreating as he brushed his it over the front pocket of his jacket. He smiled. "You wouldn't mind being married to a teacher?"

She realized what he was about to do, and smiled back at him encouragingly. "I don't think I would mind that at all," she said softly and he fished the box out of his jacket. "I am pretty sure I fall in love with a certain teacher more every day."

"I wasn't planning to ask you in a car."

"Or a bar or with a jar? Sorry, being around Roland at the rehearsal dinner has me quoting Dr. Seuss." She grinned at the nervous and yet frustrated way he fumbled with the box. "Ask me."

He ran his thumb over the seam of the box, not yet opening it, his eyes following his own movements. With a gentle lift of her fingers under his chin, she forced his gaze up and repeated her two word request. "Emma? Will you marry me?"

She nodded, not speaking at first, the bobbing of her head almost frantic. "Yes," she finally managed. "Yes, Killian. I will marry you."