Falling snow was knitting a blanket of white over all of Storybrooke, thick enough to rival one of Granny’s. Emma watched it come down from the safety of her sitting room, standing in the bay window with a mug of cocoa in her hands and wearing a borrowed pair of Killian’s flannel pajamas with the pink fuzzy socks her mom put in her stocking last year.
Tomorrow was Christmas, which would inevitably be chaos—the good kind, though. She and Killian would spend the morning together—likely doing some things that would put them on the naughty list—before heading to the large family gathering at her parents, which was sure to be filled with too many presents, too much laughter, and way too many sweets. (Emma may have gotten an early start there, judging by the empty spots on the cooling trays of cookies, but she didn’t think anyone would blame her.)
There were occasional times in the weeks leading up to the holiday that she wanted things to be a bit quieter, a bit calmer. Between the shopping and her mother’s attention to detail and just, everything, she was tired and seriously considering asking Santa for a nap.
But then she’d remember all the years of longing for something even halfway resembling the family and celebration she had to look forward to—the years where the day went by with little to no fanfare, the ones spent in her own in whatever near-empty apartment she’d leased—and any concern or stress melted away. It was hard to complain when she was surrounded by her crazy, loving extended family and her amazing, beautiful husband, especially when they had so much to look forward to.
Speaking of, gentle footsteps snuck up behind her, and suddenly, she was wrapped in a cozy blanket and a pair of strong arms. Killian placed a soft kiss on her cheek as he molded himself to her backside. “Everything alright, love?” he murmured as he pulled her closer.
“It’s perfect,” she answered. “And even better now,” she continued, leaning some of her weight back against him and continuing to gaze out the window. “It’s a beautiful view, isn’t it?”
“Aye,” he replied with a kiss on her neck. “I agree; you are gorgeous.”
She should have known he wasn’t looking outside, but still giggled and blushed at his comment. “What’s the blanket for?” she asked, moving on.
“I’d be a piss-poor husband and even worse father if I let my wife and the mother of my future child catch a winter cold from a drafty window.” His hand caressed the bump at her midsection where their baby was growing; their child wouldn’t arrive for some time still, but was yet another thing she couldn’t have ever imagined having, let alone with her True Love. “Are you warm enough, darling?”
She turned in his arms, taking hold of the blanket and wrapping it around him, too, once she faced him. He was staring down at her with a soft gaze of complete adoration in his eyes, made bluer by the pale light from outside. And she couldn’t help but think that even if the rest of the world froze over, as long as she had him—and the love shining back at her—she’d always be fine.
“I am, but I’m always warmer with you.”
Sending love to all the amazing friends I have here! Hope you all have/had wonderful holidays with your families and loved ones!! Here’s to a great 2018!! (tags under the cut)
Summary: Killian Jones was one story away from establishing himself as a successful writer – that is what his publisher said and he completely believed it. He knew he should be pouring his heart out but his muse had other ideas, it seemed.Emma Swan used to love her job but the monotony of the routine had finally caught up with her and she no longer enjoyed the job she once loved.Can the two lost souls find what they were looking for when they meet each other at a restaurant and end up striking a deal that could change how they were?
Summary: Emma Swan is hellbent on leaving Storybrooke. The Universe has other ideas. A character study of Emma’s emotions in Episodes 3×21 and 3×22. Title is from Cat Stevens/Sheryl Crow’s “First Cut Is The Deepest”.
Artist’s Note: Kristen and I connected over my story Turning the Page a month prior to the Captain Swan Little Bang and as we talked I suggested that we encourage and support each other, so we signed up for this challenge. Not only did I have the opportunity to make all the artwork for Kristen’s wonderful story but I also had the privilege of gaining a new friend. I am so happy we were able to connect over OUAT, Emma Swan and so much more.
Let’s imagine that the lovely lift kiss at the end of S5 was actually in response to a proposal and that Emma and Killian’s wedding took place much earlier in S6 under the threat of who we expected to be the big bad – the Evil Queen, not the Black Fairy. In this story, I’ve re-imagined the wedding taking place amidst precautions that were intended prevent the Evil Queen from interrupting, but maybe her plans weren’t to interrupt the ceremony at all? Her wedding “gift” just might be a bigger challenge than any of our heroes expected.
Too late alas, now for the apt quotation About a love that’s proved by steady gazing Not at each other but in the same direction. – S. Heaney, Album. CS Season 7 AU.
Emma Swan doesn’t do kids. Or, more accurately, she hasn’t done kids. But when a friend in need asks her to do kids – more specifically teach them – Emma dips her toes into the education field. Her first foray into substitute teaching is for Mr K. Jones, who proves to be a great asset in this whole “learning to teach” thing. It helps Emma understand what her friends get out of the job: that the best life lessons sometimes come from students and a nice little note.
It All Starts With a Dance 