#csromcom2018

[thejacketandthehook]

Before Dawn 4/?

Title: Before Dawn

Author: thejacketandthehook (aka everystareverywhere)

Summary:  Emma Swan and Killian Jones only had one thing in common: Emma’s best friend and Killian’s brother were dating. But Emma and Killian could not get along. That was, until the day they had to work together through a tragedy that no one saw coming.

Rating: General (but that will change to Mature in later chapters)

Word Count: 6529

Disclaimers: I own absolutely nothing.

Author’s Notes:  So, I’ve been in the mist of writing this particular story for almost two years. And I’m hoping that if I have support, I’ll be more motivated to finish it. So my story is based off of the movie “Life As We Know It” starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. And below is the first chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter One

You can also read it here: A03

@searchingwardrobes

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The funeral was exhausting, to say the least.

Being Liam's only surviving relative, Killian had a lot of the work to do. That didn't mean that Emma didn't pinch in where she could, but she was focusing more on Henry. That didn't stop her from ordering the catering ("Why do we need to feed people, Emma, it makes no sense. Can't they just say they're sorry and leave us alone?"), to making sure that Killian and Henry had proper attire, to even checking over that both Liam and Elsa's plots were ready for them. That's not even including the gravestones, which Killian and Emma agreed should say their names, their lifespan, and  "Beloved mother, father, and friends" under their names.

But what Killian hated the most was the entertaining. It made no sense to him, something he kept commenting to Emma, who he was sure stopped listening to him. He just wanted to drink his rum and sit in misery for five minutes without all these people walking around Liam's house, commenting on how sorry they were. Oh, and Henry? How was the poor lad doing?

That made Killian want to scream all the more. Henry was fourteen months old, he had no bloody idea what in hell was going on right now. Or maybe he did, if his screaming at three o'clock in the morning was any indication.

"Killian," he heard someone say behind him. He would have groaned because he just found a nice quiet spot that had no mourners, babies, or feisty new roommates. But he knew that voice.

Turning around, Killian let out a breath. "Robin," he sighed before the two hugged. Robin Locksley, Killian's friend from college, and besides Liam, his best friend, patted him on the back before they parted.

"I am so sorry, mate. So sorry for your lost. If there's anything I can do..."

"I know, mate. I know. It's just...A lot to take in right now."

"Of course." They were silent before Robin cleared his throat. "Um, I heard something about a baby..."

Killian nodded. "Yep. I have a child now."

Robin's eyes almost bugged out of his head. "Hook, oh man. That's...."

He didn't know how to finish that, but that was okay. Killian knew what he was trying to say. "I know."

"So what are you going to do?"

Killian shrugged. "Well, right now, we're gonna keep living here until we can figure out--"

Robin closed his eyes and held up a hand. "Wait, wait, wait." Opening his eyes and dropping his hand, he said, "What do you mean 'we'?"

Killian rubbed the back of his neck before dropping his hand. "You didn't hear the rest of it? Oh, mate, have I got a story for you."

While Killian was telling Robin about the latest development that was his life, Emma overheard people talking about how awful this all was and how was Henry going to grow up without his parents. Living in a house with two strange people would be so weird for him. He would surely need some kind of therapy.

Emma was holding onto the plate so tightly she was surprised it didn't snap under the pressure. She sure felt like she was going to need therapy, just listening to these people who barely knew Henry and wouldn't be able to pick him out in a lineup of babies.

"Emma?"

She turned around to see her boss, Graham Hubert, looking down at her with that damn pity in his eyes.

Graham was a nice man, and one that she really didn't mind working with. God knows that the crimes in Storybrooke are minute at best, but he did have a way of making the boring interesting. And normally she wouldn't mind spending time with him.

But right now, right now she didn't need to see the tears in his eyes. Because Graham was someone who made her laugh. He shouldn't be crying. It's not what he does.

"I'm so sorry, Emma. Really I am. I--If you need anything, anything at all, please let me know."

"I...Yeah...Thanks."

Quickly turning around, Emma started heading towards the kitchen, the plate still barely holding it together in her hands.

When she stopped to lean against the wall for a moment, she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Mary Margaret standing behind her, David just a little to the side. Mary Margaret gently took the plate out of Emma's hands and did something with it, Emma wasn't sure. Mary Margaret said something to David, Emma had no idea what, but the next thing she knew she was being guided to her bedroom.

"Henry..." Emma started to say as Mary Margaret closed the door.

"Is safe with David. He's fine." The petite woman turned to Emma. "My concern right now is how are you doing. You don't look so good."

"I'm fine."

Mary Margaret gave a sad smile. It was clear she didn't believe Emma. "How about we try this again. I'm going to ask you how you are and you'll give me an actual answer, okay? Now, how are you?"

Emma didn't answer. That said everything.

Mary Margaret wobbled over to Emma and sat beside her on the bed.  "I know I don't know you too well, Emma, but I do know a lost soul when I see one." She was quiet for a moment. Emma did nothing to fill the silence. Mary Margaret spoke up again. "I have no idea what you are going through. I won't pretend that I do. I've lost my parents, that is true, but I never had the added responsibility of another life on top of it. That, I think, is the hardest part in all of this. That now you suddenly have Henry. It's not just you anymore, huh? Now you have another mouth to feed. Another's interest at heart. That must feel overwhelming." Once more, Emma said nothing.

She didn't know what Mary Margaret expected. Emma wasn't the talk-about-your-feelings type, and even less so with people she'd had met only a handful of times before. Mary Margaret was always nice to her, that was true, long before any of this was happening. But Emma was a closed off person, only confiding her personal thoughts to one person.

And now that person is gone.

But Emma couldn't think about that. She had to be strong for Henry. She could carry on. For him. God knew it was going to be tough, but she had to be strong. She just had to be.

Bringing her back into the present, Mary Margaret was gently rubbing her shoulder. She didn't like to be touched, and normally would have shrugged it off, but it felt...comforting. Sure she had gotten a lot of hugs today (mostly from Anna, but those was hugs of sadness, not comfort). But Mary Margaret's touch was almost...Well, if Emma didn't know any better she would have said it was the touch of a mother. Never really having had a mother, she had nothing to compare it to, however.

After a moment, there was a knock on the door and David poked his head in, a crying Henry on his hip. "I so sorry, I don't mean to bother you. But he's crying, and I can't find Killian--"

Emma immediately stood up and reached out for Henry. "It's fine. Really." Taking him into her arms, she held him closely, her mouth at the crown of his head. "Could you guys leave us for a moment? I just need to regroup before heading back out."

Mary Margaret nodded before slowly getting up. As she reached the door, she turned back and said, "Emma, please listen. I know we don't know each other too well, but...We can help. Please let us help you and Killian."

Emma nodded, hugging Henry a little tighter. He wasn't crying anymore, which probably meant he just needed to be away from the crowd for a while. You and me both, kid.

Mary Margaret and David left, closing the door behind him. Emma sat down on her bed and sobbed quietly into Henry's soft brown hair.

~*~

The wake was painful, but it was finally over and Killian and Emma could finally move on with their lives.

Or so they thought.

Two weeks after the funeral, Killian thought he was going to pull his hair out. Henry wouldn't stop crying and Emma was ignoring Killian every chance she got. It wasn't at all what he pictured when he thought of having a family.

Which we're not, he reminded himself as Emma almost screamed at Henry when he spit out his mashed peas. Not that Killian could blame him; that smelt like shit, God knows what it tasted like. Instead of asking Killian for assistance or even just acknowledging that he was in the same room, Emma tried once more to get Henry to eat the mashed peas.

"Come on, Henry, just eat a little. I swear I'll get you all the chocolate you want, if you just eat a little of the peas..."

But once more, he spit them out, crying because he was hungry and the peas tasted awful.

"He doesn't want them, Swan," Killian finally had to point out, though that much was obvious.

"Well, he has to eat something and it's either this or smashed squash."

Killian looked around the kitchen, trying to figure out what he could give Henry before Emma completely lost her mind. Finally seeing something, he grabbed the tin of apple and banana flavored puffs and poured them out on the tray in front of Henry.

Henry looked down at them, his crying stopping instantly. He grabbed one with one chubby hand and put it in his mouth and smiled.

Emma looked up at Killian. He didn't know if she was thankful for that or if she wanted to kill him, making him eat something he wasn't supposed to. Either way, it got them a few minutes of quiet, and right now that was enough for him.

"You're welcome," he said before putting the tin on the table and walking towards the living room.  

He was sure that Emma was mad at him; wouldn't be the first time he felt those icy green eyes in his direction. But he couldn't just let Henry scream when a simple change in his diet would be all that he needed. He wasn't going to die from eating those puffs. He knew eventually Emma would thank him, though he knew better than to hold his breath.

He just got comfortable on the couch when the doorbell rang. Groaning with frustration, Killian got up and opened the door to find a pretty brunette on the other side. She was shorter than Killian, even though she was in heels, with a soft face and big blue eyes.

"Hello!" she said with an accent, though he wasn't sure where in Europe she was from. "I'm Belle Gold. I'm from the Child Protective Services. I'm here to talk about Henry Jones."

Killian almost slammed the door in her face. Oh crap. He forgot all about this. Child Protective Services wanted to make sure that Emma and he were doing a good job raising Henry, otherwise there were going to take him away from them. Liam's lawyer had mentioned that part, Killian was sure of it. However, he was so dazed with the idea that he suddenly became like a father-figure to Henry that he didn't really retain any of it.

He suddenly couldn't remember if he (because let's be honest, Emma was not a neat person) cleaned up recently. It had been weeks since anyone was over, and he suddenly couldn't remember if he put away Henry's toys. Or where they scattered all over the floor, waiting for someone to trip over them?

"Er, Mr. Jones? Are you okay?"

Shaking his head lightly, Killian gave a fake smile. "Aye. Of course. Where are my manners? Come in, please."

He suddenly felt like a high schooler sent to the headmaster's office (a feeling that he hasn't felt in a long time) and he wasn't sure why. It wasn't like he or Emma did something they weren't suppose to do, like drink excessive amounts of alcohol or smoke something illegally. Other than a bit of a mess, they were fine.

"Killian? Who is--Oh. Hello." Emma came into the hallway, Henry on her hip. He was munching on something, and Killian was pretty sure it was Emma's hair.

Belle turned to Emma. "Ah, you must be Ms. Swan."

"I am," Emma said hesitantly, looking at Killian before looking back at Belle.

"I'm Belle Gold from Child Protective Services."

"Oh! We, er, we weren't expecting you."

Belle gave a small chuckle. "That's why we call them surprise visits!"

"Oh. Right, yes, of course. Um, so..." Emma obviously didn't know where to begin, and Killian felt so nervous all of a sudden. He was terrified that she would find something wrong with them and take Henry away. Henry was the only thing he had left of his brother; they couldn't take him away too!

Belle must have noticed the look on their faces because she smiled softly and suggested, "Why don't we start with a look around the house, shall we?"

"Yes!" Killian shouted, making Emma give a small jump. "Excellent idea, wonderful. Why don't I do that? Come, I'll show you around."

Killian was working on automatic, not really sure what was coming out of his mouth. He showed her the first floor, that contained the kitchen, living room, dining room, a bathroom, and what Liam had referred to as his "man cave," which overlooked the spacious backyard and had a pull out bed couch and a television in it, along with the books he loved. This was the room he was sleeping in, and Killian was thankful that he put his clothes away yesterday.

The second floor had the bedrooms, which was the master suite (neither of which Emma or Killian had set foot in), the guest room (which was where Emma was sleeping), a bathroom, and Henry's room. Everything looked neat, yet a tad bit messy. Obvious that people lived there but it wasn't a disaster. Killian was satisfied.

When they came back into the living room, Emma was playing with Henry on the floor, pressing buttons from some toy that Killian actually gave him for his first birthday. He wanted to find the most annoying toy, the toy that played a thousand different noises and talked all day. Well, of course it was now Killian who was stuck with it.

Karma really was a bitch.

Emma looked up as Killian and Belle walked in. Killian could tell that Emma had no idea what that toy did that she was currently playing with. Probably just wanted to look busy for when they returned.

"Now, Ms. Swan, Mr. Jones, if you could both join me at the table, I would love to have a conversation with you."

Belle got situated on one side of the table and Emma, carrying Henry, and Killian on the other. They sat with some distance apart, which Killian didn't take notice of until later.

"Now," Belle said, taking out a pad of legal paper and a pen. She clicked the top. "If you could please tell me a little about yourself." They were both silent. Belle sighed. "I'm not the bad guy here."

"You might as well be," Emma muttered darkly.

Belle put her pen down with a sigh. "Look, I have to report facts, that's all. If you want the truth, right now I see nothing wrong with Henry and his life here. He's well taken care of, I could see that the moment you walked in before, Ms. Swan. But I do need some background information on the two of you. If it makes you feel any better, I'm just checking to see if you are prostitutes or drug dealers."

"I'm the Deputy Sheriff," Emma stated. Belle nodded and picked up her pen, writing it down. "I, er, work with Graham Humbert, the Sheriff."

"Is that a dangerous job, Ms. Swan?"

"If I lived in New York, then yeah. But here? In Storybrooke, where the biggest crime is a petty robbery? No, not too dangerous."

"Do you work nights?"

"Occasionally."

Belle wrote that all down. Killian noted that Emma was holding onto Henry tightly and gave a small smile. The Queen Bitch had emotions after all. Except for the night of the accident, Emma hasn't shed one tear that Killian has seen. Granted, he didn't like crying in front of people, and often let his feelings about this whole situation out at night. But still. Not one tear? He wondered how high those walls of hers were.

"And you Mr. Jones? What do you do?"

"I'm a mechanic. At the docks. I fix the boats."

Emma snapped her head looking at him. "I thought you were a bartender?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "I was. Four years ago. Now I'm mechanic."

Emma went to comment, but instead bit her lip. She faced Belle again.

"Great. Now, one more question before I go. This is a bit awkward, so please bare with me. This...situation is more complicated than usual. Usually in a situation like this, the people who get the custody of a child are family members." She put up a hand when Killian opened his mouth. "I'm aware that you Liam Jones' brother, Mr. Jones. My point is this: people who get custody of a child usually are in some form of relationship. Now if I understand this correctly, except for the fact that your brother," she said looking at Killian. "And your best friend," she turned to Emma, "were married, you have no connection between the two of you, correct?"

"Er, well, yes," Emma stated.

"That's correct," Killian added.

"Now, this is the embarrassing part." She took a deep breath. "Are you two sleeping together?"

"What?! No!" Emma shouted.

"Absolutely not!" Killian yelled.

Belle held up her hands. "I'm sorry. I just had to check. Do either of you have romantic or...well, lustful feelings for the other?"

"No!" Killian yelled again.

"Why are you asking these questions?"

"Because, Ms. Swan, sex makes things complicated. Even when you're not having it, it's complicated. What we want is to make sure that Henry stays away from such complications. Let's face it, his life has not been easy and he's barely begun. I noticed that when I came in here, things were....well, cool between the two of you. Not in a bad sense," she rushed to say when Emma and Killian looked at each other. "But more in the sense that perhaps you two are a bit over your heads." She closed her pad with a loud snap, making both Emma and Killian jump. "If you two don't have any more questions, I'll see you soon."

"How many more times do you come to visit us?" Killian asked as they stood up.

"Two more times. The last one is when I decide if you two are a good for Henry. That's usually by the end of the first year. Bye! Nice meeting you!"

Without being escorted out, Belle walked out of their kitchen and the house. For the time being.

Emma leaned forward, one elbow down on the table, hand rubbing her head as Killian scratched the back of his head. She took a deep breath before saying, "Well, that's over with."

Killian nodded. "Yep."

They were silent before Emma blurted, "Did she need to know about our relationship? Seems a bit personal to me."

"She needs to know that we're a good match for Henry. Remember, that's what's important."

"Of course I know that!" she snapped.

He gave a sad chuckle. "And I wondered why she thought we were cold to each other. We must have looked miserable in her eyes!"

"Oh, shut it, Jones," Emma growled before storming away.

It was Killian's turn to lean on the table. "Cool, indeed."

[snowbellewells]

Captain Swan is my Favorite RomCom: “While You Were Sleeping” (Part Five)

So here’s the next installment, I think we’re down to just about two more, unless something changes. Hope you enjoy!!

While the little misunderstanding has complicated Emma’s life and made her feel all kinds of guilty, she can’t quite want things back the way they were either...

And I apologize now, I know this has no cut line, but I just can’t get it to work for me on mobile. I’ll try to do a morning reboot form my desktop with the cut!

Part Five

By: @snowbellewells (TutorGirlml on ff.net)

The morning after taking Emma to dinner at his folks’ and their near-silent drive back into the city, dawned chilly but bright; though Killian Jones woke to it groggy and angry with himself in the rented hotel room he’d booked in order to be in the city - nearer to the hospital for his brother and the various appointments he needed to attend while in Boston. He knew he had pushed Liam’s fiancé out of her comfort zone - despite his initial good intentions - and he had been beating himself up for the overstep ever since realization hit, mere moments too late.

Stumbling over the nondescript carpet, hand rubbing blearily over his face and his unshaven chin as he made his way to get his morning’s first cup of coffee, Killian kicked himself once more, berating his impatient prying. ‘So what if she has secrets?’ he scolded himself again. ‘Everyone does. You certainly have a few yourself. Just because she wouldn’t tell you her whole life story after knowing you less than 24 hours does not mean she’s hiding things from Liam - or that she has anything serious to hide at all.’

Cursing himself for a fool, and then literally cursing in pain as he clumsily managed both to burn his finger with the tiny complimentary coffee maker and spill the precious brew in the suite bathroom, Killian knew what the issue really came down to. He was disappointed, saddened, struck once again by his own bad luck - the sheer indisputable fact that he didn’t deserve good things, the things he wished for most. Of course Liam would meet the ray of sunshine that was Emma Swan first; he was everything that Killian wasn’t. Ever since they had been in prep school with his citizenship awards and class offices, Liam had been successful, admirable, well-liked...perfect, for all intents and purposes. Though he would never lord it over his five years younger brother, reaching adulthood had not done much at all to bring Killian out of Liam’s impressive shadow. He was successful in his work, even generating surplus for charitable giving, had made a good name for himself in the business world, drawing new customers even as he retained his ethics and honor, had a large, well-situated apartment and nice car, dressed well, and still retained his decent heart and character. What woman wouldn’t choose Liam Jones as a fine man to marry?

Killian sighed, running a frustrated hand through his sleep-disheveled hair and this time managing to pour his coffee into a nondescript white hotel mug - oddly missing his own chipped mug with the jaunty silver anchor on it that Nick had gifted him last Christmas. Not that he was a bad guy or a poor catch, but he certainly looked less promising on paper. He didn’t bring in the paycheck Liam did, nor did he carry the type of prestige his brother had earned. He was more of a jack-of-all trades who had turned his passionate interest in boats and sailing into a modest living at best. Though he well knew he would make a devoted, loving mate for the right woman, she would need to share his love of the sea and adventure, his family, and his simple, uncluttered lifestyle. He didn’t require the material trappings Liam could offer a woman, and if his brother had won Emma Swan’s heart, then Killian knew that he couldn’t truly compete.

And yet...something about her spoke to him, whispered that they could understand each other in a way most would not. He had been to her apartment - and though it had been clean and comfortable, it was nothing fancy. He might have even deemed it sparse, if it weren’t for the unique, cozy touches he had noted scattered throughout her living space: a hand-knit woolen blanket with her name woven in purple draped over the couch, not only a purring pet cat, but adorable personalized dishes for the clearly spoiled creature in pride of place on the very table across from the spot Emma clearly occupied at meals herself. Though he couldn’t pretend to known her whole life story, he sensed a woman with simpler tastes similar to his own - more interested in people and connection, items of sentimental value more than material worth; a kindred spirit more interested in experience than routine complacency.

Hanging his head, Killian sipped his caffeine Black, berating himself for wanting his brother’s fiancé – however briefly – before he shoved the thoughts far into the recesses of his mind, for thinking recklessly that he could make her happier, that he could read Emma Swan like an open book. Wincing at the sharp, strong flavor of the unsweetened beverage, still rather warm and burning his tongue a bit, Killian couldn’t help feeling as though he had earned the slight pain to the roof and sides of his mouth for his disloyal and traitorous thoughts, for his ever-cursed and unlucky timing and desires making him feel as though he had finally met the woman who could complete him and make him smile as he had ever seen his mother do for his father his whole life long.

Finishing the cereal and sausage link he had gotten from room service for breakfast, Killian tried to shake lingering romantic thoughts about Emma Swan from his tired brain. He had things to do, calls to make back to work to see that things were covered with his business and shop while he was here awaiting any changes or news on Liam’s medical progress, and errands to run before he was to have lunch with his father. It would do him no good to dwell on the fact that Liam had been incredibly devoted to his college sweetheart - a brilliant lass named Belle French, a PhD candidate currently abroad studying and lecturing upon ancient texts in Brittany - until a painful falling out they’d had a scant five months before over their future and settling down. Though Killian hadn’t heard as much from his older brother, he had always felt that Liam and Belle would find their way back to each other. Perhaps that was why this seemingly sudden engagement to Emma Swan, whom none of the family had even met until two days ago, didn’t quite add up. Of course, Killian also knew that could very well be his own foolish and impulsive heart influencing his thinking.

At any rate, as he gathered his keys and coat and made his way out of his hotel room, locking it behind him, he needed to focus on the rare chance to spend some quality time with his dad, to talk seriously without interruption. Though David Jones had not outwardly fought or dismissed Killian’s decision a few years back, to start up his own business rather than continuing serious apprenticeship to take on the family farm someday, Killian knew there had to have been a part of his father who found it difficult for a second of his three sons to turn away from the livelihood he had worked hard to build, to provide for them all and hopefully hand down into their care. Just as with Liam - though surely his elder brother’s success must have helped to soothe the blow - Killian knew his choice must have hurt his father, which he had never wanted. It was why he had hesitated as long as he had before striking out on his own.

It couldn’t be fought however. Eventually, he’d had to be honest with himself, and with his dad. There was simply something about boats and the sea which called to him. Though it had not been easy the day he’d brought those concerns to his father; it had been a dry mouthed, hands sweating sort of moment in truth. Yet, Killian suspected, that the way the soil, working the earth and being outdoors in the open air amidst his sheep fed his father’s spirit, helped David Jones to understand his middle son’s yearning better than Killian could have hoped. Beyond that, very thankfully, Nick seemed to adore the family farm - even now as he was almost through trade school for animal husbandry and agribusiness management. Nothing seemed to thrill the youngest Jones brother more than being home on the farm during breaks and vacations, and he loved his father’s flock more than anyone but David himself ever had or would.

Reaching the ground floor, Killian passed through the hotel’s open lobby and made his way to the parking garage across the street where he had left his truck the previous night. It was time - for the moment at least - to leave his scattered thoughts and the fleeting warmth in his chest caused by his memories of the way light had glanced off the gold in Emma’s hair and the bright, unguarded sound of her laugh. He needed to see to his business and worry about his family, not nurse pipe dreams with no hope of coming true…

~~~~~~~~*********~~~~~~~~

By that evening at the end of her shift, Emma felt no less conflicted over the secrets she was keeping, the things she had refrained from telling Liam’s family - and Killian in particular - and the convenient misunderstanding she had allowed to let stand; giving her the chance to experience what it felt like to have a whole, vibrant family for the first time, but also taking advantage of the Jones’ kindness shamefully. Equal warring parts of her had run back and forth in her brain all day as she took tokens and watched the trains fly back in and out of their station almost constantly. And despite the guilt she was suffering and the frustration with herself she felt for not correcting Nurse Ariel’s mistake immediately, before she’d known what she would be giving up, Emma found that as she clocked out for the night, there was still just one place her feet would carry her.

Stopping by her favorite street vendor for a quick bite to eat for supper, Emma was at the hospital and making her way up to Liam’s floor before she had even made up her mind to follow her gut. She waved to Ariel, who was on the phone at the nurses’ station and gave her a rather sheepish smile but still waved back enthusiastically, and then let herself into Liam’s room.

Upon entering, Emma felt her shoulders relax and a sense of relief coming over her, almost affirming that this was where she had needed to be. Perhaps it was the dim lighting in the room, the calm quiet where so much of her day had been full of bustling crowds and hectic noise, or maybe it was even that this man who had intrigued her for so long from afar - fiance or not - needed her in some way.

It was a double room, but as he had been two days ago, Liam was the only occupant presently. Even if unaware, he was very much alone, and Emma couldn’t stand that. She’d been all by herself for too much of her life; she wouldn’t leave another person in that painful solitude if she could make it otherwise. Settling in for the evening, she pulled the nearby chair right up beside his bed, sat down, and reached out to take his hand in hers.

Twining their fingers together, Emma gently squeezed Liam’s digits, whispering as she pulled his arm carefully over to press it against her chest while she began to speak. Bowing her head slightly, she whispered near him into the quiet room. “Liam? It’s your fiancé… Emma…” Though she had begun her statement with an almost sheepish laugh, as if he might wake up and appreciate the humor of the wacky situation with her, her words were cut off by the lump that rose in her throat which she had to swallow hard to speak around.

“Oh, who am I kidding?” she sighed, her eyes stinging with unwanted emotion as she looked down at the handsome man, peaceful and still as if merely sleeping. Where before she had always found herself wanting to wind her fingers through those stubbornly curling, close-cropped tufts of sandy hair, Emma suddenly pictured dark tendrils falling over his brother’s strong brow instead. This man - while he had intrigued her and drawn her in with his kind smiles and friendly greetings each week - she didn’t really know him; never had known him, truth be told. She merely wanted to brush an almost sisterly touch of fingertips across his cheek, hold his hand, and see him wake up - for the sake of his family who loved him dearly, for his own sake, as he didn’t deserve to be struck down so senselessly, and for hers, so she could explain what had happened and hope that - just maybe - he wouldn’t hate her and the rest of the Jones family wouldn’t either.

Finally giving into the urge, Emma laid her cool palm over his slightly warm forehead, wishing to bring him some comfort and to let him know he wasn’t alone before settling into her seat more comfortably, propping her chin on the fist of her free hand while the other still held his large one, rubbing gentle circles over the space between thumb and forefinger. “We both know I’m a complete stranger to you. I don’t know why I’m still pretending when you’re the only one here. You may think I’m the worst sort of person when you wake up, but it truly was a big misunderstanding. I didn’t know how to stop it at first, and then things just got out of hand. Your family…” she paused again, pressing her mouth into a thin line as she tried to bring the welling regret and longing under wraps, “they’re pretty wonderful really. You know that, right? I mean, they just took me in, and they’re so warm and funny. Even though my adoptive mom was great, she’s been gone a long time. It’s just been, well me and my cat,” a strangled little laugh escaped and she wiped a hand across her eyes, sniffling, “for years now. Like I was in the beginning…” She trailed off, shaking her head as the man she was speaking to remained motionless and unresponsive. “Sheesh, just listen to me,” she finally finished off, blowing out a breath and straightening slightly. “This must sound crazy!”

Turning to reach for her jacket and preparing to go, Emma touched Liam’s arm one last time, a parting squeeze of farewell. “Ever been so alone you’d spend the night confusing a man in a coma?” she asked self-deprecatingly. Then, she stood and leaned back down to press a light peck of a kiss to his hairline whispering, “Wake up soon, Liam.”

Then she was gone, slipping out of the room and soon the hospital without ever noticing Killian, who had arrived not long after her to check in on his brother. He had frozen in the doorway behind her, stunned into silence by the admission he’d overheard before he could announce his presence, and had just barely remembered to retreat down the hall far enough to escape detection when Emma had gathered her things to leave. Emerging after a moment, he stood dumbfounded in his brother’s doorway, conflicting emotions all swarming behind his eyes. “Bloody hell,” he murmured, running a hand over his face, “Now what are we supposed to do?”

Tagging: @csromcom18 @searchingwardrobes @kmomof4 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @kday426 @linda8084 @teamhook @revanmeetra87 @laschatzi @jennjenn615 @therooksshiningknight @resident-of-storybrooke @bcmbbcs4evr @coliferoncer @vvbooklady1256

[searchingwardrobes]

Captain Swan is My Favorite Rom Com

I’m taking a chance on tumblr by posting this first chapter in its entirety here since it’s only a little over a thousand words. This is an AU of the 1987 version, not the more recent Disney Channel version, because I’m an 80s kid and my sister and I rented that movie like a hundred times from the video store! While making the above banner, I remembered how much I loved Elisabeth Shue’s dress in that opening dance sequence. Ah, memories . . .

Summary: Killian Jones can’t believe the prettiest girl at Boston College is actually a senior in high school. Or that she showed up at a frat party with three kids in tow. Let’s just say it’s going to be one crazy night . . .

Rating: T (brief mentions of a Playboy magazine, and uses of the “f” word which is very unlike me, but there are some movie quotes that just can’t be messed with . . . And all of that begs the question, “What was my mother thinking let us watch this at 10 and 7?!”)

Words: 1,000+

Can also be read on Ao3

Chapter One (I listened to a lot of 80s music while writing this . . . )

Killian really didn’t want to be here tonight. It may have been four months, but he still didn’t feel ready to move on after Milah broke his heart. But Liam said that turning into a hermit only continued to allow the woman power over him. And didn’t Killian hate being controlled? By anyone? That certainly got his attention.

Of course, Will and Jefferson thought it was the prospect of getting laid that lured him out of the dorms. Copious amounts of alcohol, sorority girls, and the chill of Boston winter all added up to a great roll in the hay with some willing lass. Little did his friends know how unappealing that sounded in his current angst-ridden state. Milah had been his everything. How could he settle now?

So here he was, in the corner of the frat house living room, nursing a bottle of rum and being – as Liam put it – anti-social. The band was playing some upbeat number by Huey Lewis and the News, the kind of cheesy pop music that made his classic rock ears bleed.

But then they transitioned into Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” – not a normal choice for this current top 40 college band – and it was as if the crowd parted and an ethereal light shone on the blonde across the room. He was pretty sure his jaw dropped like a total git. Luckily, her eyes were scanning the room, oblivious to his presence. Her hair fell in soft, wavy curls instead of the corkscrew perms all the other girls had. She was fresh-faced too, which he liked. Even Milah wore too much makeup in his opinion. Most women did. It was 1987, after all. But this girl was a classic beauty.

He rose from his seat and made his way towards her, feeling as if he were moving in slow motion. She still hadn’t turned her gaze in his direction. And then, from out of nowhere, Will and Jefferson had her surrounded. Will opened a glossy magazine and held the centerfold up to the blonde’s face, an eager, almost salacious grin upon his lips. The blonde wrinkled her button nose in disgust. It was only then Killian noticed the three children with her: two boys and a girl. She clapped her hands over the eyes of the little girl and the younger boy. The older one blushed bright crimson, his eyes widening in shock. The blonde snapped something in the boy’s direction, and he quickly averted his eyes.

Killian’s irritation reached a boiling point as he swiftly intercepted his friends, crumpling the Playboy magazine and shoving it in Will’s chest.

“What the bloody hell are you doing?” Killian hissed at his friend. Then he turned, flashing an apologetic smile at the young woman. Now that he was closer, he could see that freckles dusted that adorable nose and her eyes were a light green. They flashed fire right now, which only made her more appealing. “I apologize for my friends. They are a bit . . . uncivilized.”

The blonde was having none of it. “That’s an understatement. They just scarred these kids for life!”

“I know, and I truly want to make it up to you. What’s your name, lass?”

Emma threw another scowl over his shoulder towards Will. “It’s not Shalene.”

Will opened the magazine to the centerfold again, careful to keep it angled away from the kids. “You mean you’re not Miss October? But . . . “ he glanced from the centerfold to the young woman before him, and back again, “the resemblance . . . “

Killian tapped his forehead, “Think for a second, mate. What would a Playboy centerfold be doing at a frat party on a Friday night with a bunch of kids?”

Jefferson wrinkled his brow. “Well, bringing kids to a frat party threw me anyway, so . . .”

Killian peeked at the centerfold. The woman in the photograph was a green-eyed blonde, with the same elegant neck and creamy fair skin. She even had a dimple in her chin. But there was something lacking, some spark that Killian couldn’t have named if he tried. He shook his head, flashing what he hoped was a charming grin in the young woman’s direction.

“She doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

The blonde rolled her eyes, not exactly the reaction he’d been hoping for. “Yeah, and I’m sure you’ve used that line half a dozen times tonight. Is this some kind of scheme you three pull to pick up women? Cause let me clue you in, it’s tacky.”

Killian laughed, he couldn’t help it. Oh, she was feisty. “These two don’t have the brains for that kind of subterfuge.”

“Hey!” Jefferson barked.

“Come on, mate,” Will grumbled, “I told you it wasn’t her . . .”

His two friends sheepishly apologized, then quickly made their way to the bar for another beer. Killian shook his head at their retreating forms.

“They really aren’t bad guys,” he explained, “they just don’t always think before acting.” He extended his hand. “Killian Jones.”

The blonde arched her brow for a moment, then tentatively took his hand. “Emma Swan.”

Killian’s face filled up with a genuine smile. “Lovely name. And it suits you.” He exulted at the pink hue that warmed her appled cheeks. “I haven’t seen you around campus before. You must be a freshman.”

A sparkle lit her eyes as she shook her head.

“If you were a sophomore, how could I have missed you? Surely you’re not a junior.”

For the first time, a smile lit her face. “Actually, I’m a senior.”

His eyes widened. “A senior!”

She laughed, and the sound was enchanting. “In high school.”

He blinked and shook his head. “I can’t believe it,” he told her softly.

She looked indignant. “Hey!”

He shook his head. “No, I mean, I can’t believe the most beautiful girl at Boston College is a senior in high school.”

She pressed her lips together, as if forcing herself not to smile as a deeper blush stained her cheeks. She glanced away from his gaze. Then the moment was broken by the little blonde girl at her side. A sister perhaps?

“Emma,” she said, hopping up and down, “I really gotta go!”

“Oh my goodness, Robin, I’m sorry!” Emma gasped. Then she turned to Killian. “Where’s the bathroom? That’s the whole reason we came in here.”

Killian gestured for them to follow him across the living room and into the hallway on the other side. He pointed at the line reaching all the way to the far end of it. Emma groaned and little Robin hopped from one foot to the other in clear distress.

“I can’t hold it that long, Emma!” the child whined.

“No worries, lass,” Killian assured her, taking her hand and guiding the child towards the front of the line. He looked over his shoulder at Emma. “Just stay back, Swan. You’ll ruin my angle.” Then he winked as Emma rolled her eyes again.

He sauntered up to the front of the line, then turned to face the redhead standing in front of the bathroom door. He leaned casually against the wall behind him, still gripping Robin’s small hand. “Good evening, Ariel.”

“Killian!” she beamed. “I didn’t know you were here!” She noticed the little girl at his side, and her face softened. “Oh, and who is this?”

“My . . . cousin’s kid. I babysit sometimes.” Killian smoothly lied.

“Ohh!” Ariel gushed. “That is so sweet!”

Robin was a quick study. She smiled brightly, showing off an adorable gap in her teeth. Ariel bent down to her level.

“Tell me about your hat.”

Robin reached up and patted the helmet with the wings on each side. “It’s Thor’s helmet.” Then she lifted the foam hammer she held in one hand. “And Mjolnir, see? It’s Thor’s hammer. Thor’s my favorite super hero, ever!”

Ariel grinned up at Killian, “She is so cute!”

Robin bounced up and down again, panic flashing across her face. “I really gotta go, Killian!”

The bathroom door opened as Ariel rose. The redhead gestured towards it. “Oh, sweetie, you go right on in!”

“Thanks, beautiful,” Killian told his friend with a wink as Robin dashed inside the bathroom. Then he sauntered back towards Emma who stood with the boys farther down the hallway. He arched his brows at her with a satisfied smirk. “See? Piece of cake.”

Emma shook her head and narrowed her eyes, but she couldn’t suppress the tiny half smile that lifted the corner of her mouth. Killian would take it as a victory. Robin finished in the bathroom, giving him a high five and an exaggerated, childish wink that made him laugh again. He liked this kid. From the living room, the band started playing “The Lady in Red.” Killian’s throat felt tight as his gaze landed on Emma’s blonde curls resting against the red leather jacket she wore.

“Dance with me?” he asked hoarsely.

Emma’s eyes widened in surprise. “I . . . couldn’t . . . the kids. We shouldn’t even be here.”

“I’ll watch Roland and Robin,” the older boy piped up. If Killian wasn’t mistaken, the lad had a slightly mischievous gleam in his eyes. He might just be his ally to get to know Emma better.

“Henry,” Emma sighed, “you’re only ten, and this is a frat party . . .”

“And you got stuck babysitting us when Neal stood you up,” Henry argued.

Emma blushed a bright red this time, her eyes cutting to Killian in obvious humiliation. What git would stand up an angel like her?”

“He didn’t stand me up, Henry, I told you his little brother got sick. Contagious he said.”

“Yeah right,” Henry grumbled under his breath. Then he grabbed his siblings and steered them towards an empty couch in the corner. “See, we’ll sit right here.”

“The lad has a point,” Killian told her, putting on his best pout. The one Liam said always got him his way. He reached out and brushed a blonde curl off her shoulder. “Just one dance?”

Emma glanced from the kids, to him, and back again. Then she sighed. “Okay. Just one dance.”

Killian tried to remain confident and casual as he took her slender hand. Going out tonight might not have been a mistake after all.

@shipsxahoy @tiganasummertree @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @thejacketandthehook @shady-swan-jones @bethacaciakay @galadriel26 @teamhook @cat-sophia @coliferoncer @allofdafandoms-blog @phiralovesloki @pocket-anon @dassala @branlovesouat @flslp87 @snowbellewells @thislassishooked @yayimallamaagain

[flslp87]

Reposted for @searchingwardrobes neat little event is my take on the movie The Lake House

Captain Swan is my favorite Rom Con

THE BEACH HOUSE

When fate is involved, can Emma and Killian change their destiny so their love transcends time and space to give them their happy ending?

This is an Alternate Universe Multi-chapter

Can also be found on AO3 and on Fan Fiction

Tumblr (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16)(epilogue)

[teamhook]

Wild Within is a rom-com too

Hello, So I’ve been adviced to submit my fic to this tag too. @searchingwardrobes

It is based loosely on a movie named Wolf, so here I am.

Only posting with the links to AO3 and FFN.

It is too long to post here and Tumblr is not a fan of me.

[searchingwardrobes]

@pocket-anon I am so happy that you accepted my "nudge"! This fic is absolutely wonderful!

@shipsxahoy @tiganasummertree @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @thejacketandthehook @shady-swan-jones @bethacaciakay @galadriel26 @teamhook @cat-sophia @coliferoncer @allofdafandoms-blog @phiralovesloki @pocket-anon @dassala @branlovesouat @flslp87

If anyone else wants to be tagged in this event, please let me know!

A Fairytale Beginning (1/9)

When @timetravelingpotatoast proposed a Captain Swan Enchanted AU, I couldn’t believe it hadn’t already been done (and apologies if it has), and I just had to take a crack at it. A Captain Swan romance involving Enchanted Forest AU, modern day AU, and 21st-century-man goodness? Um, YES PLEASE. So here it is - my take on a OUAT version of the lovable Disney movie (though, like all things OUAT, it’s a little darker than the Disney movie; Killian Jones is decidedly not a fairytale princess).

Special thanks to @lenfaz for letting me run my preliminary story outline by her. Chapter 1 is fairly short, but I promise the rest will be considerably longer. I hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Find it on AO3 and FFN.

Summary:  Killian Jones, the notorious Captain Hook, has been on a quest to kill the Dark One and avenge the death of his first love for over one hundred fifty years. But when he crosses the Evil Queen, he’s magically transported to New York City, a strange land full of fascinating wonders, the foremost of which is Emma Swan, a cynical single mother with no time for fairy tales, real or imagined. A Captain Swan Enchanted AU.   (Captain Swan modern AU, Captain Swan Enchanted Forest AU.  Romance & Adventure.  Rated T.)

Also tagging @piratesails at her request.

The thunder of hoofbeats fills the air as the roan mare gallops down the wide earthen path in the shadow of the needle-like spires of the Evil Queen’s castle.  Her rider urges her on, perched in the stirrups and leaning forward into the wind, his black leather duster jacket aloft behind him. The beginnings of a storm are curling on the horizon, the air heavy with the smell of coming rain, and, as accustomed as the man is to being soaked to the skin, he would still prefer to weather it from inside, rather than outside, the castle.  Besides, he’s survived quite an adventure to secure the prize that he carries now, and he’s eager to get his hand on the magical compass he intends to exchange it for.

Keep reading

[thejacketandthehook]

Before Dawn 3/?

Title: Before Dawn

Author: thejacketandthehook (aka everystareverywhere)

Summary:  Emma Swan and Killian Jones only had one thing in common: Emma’s best friend and Killian’s brother were dating. But Emma and Killian could not get along. That was, until the day they had to work together through a tragedy that no one saw coming.

Rating: General (but that will change to Mature in later chapters)

Word Count:  12576

Disclaimers: I own absolutely nothing.

Author’s Notes:  So, I’ve been in the mist of writing this particular story for almost two years. And I’m hoping that if I have support, I’ll be more motivated to finish it. So my story is based off of the movie “Life As We Know It” starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. And below is the first chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter One

You can also read it here: A03

@searchingwardrobes

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Emma and Killian walked out of the lawyer's office building, both in a quite of bit of shock.

She didn't know about Killian, but Emma's head was spinning. Just last week, she was an officer of the law, who could come and go in her apartment as she pleased, thinking nothing more than what groceries she wanted or how she was going to spend the evening with Walsh. Now she was a mother. She was going to take care of another person. Someone was going to rely on her for his basic needs.

She needed to sit down.

And some whiskey.

"We're going to be parents," Emma whispered.

"Yeah," Killian agreed. "And we don't even like each other."

"We're going to have to get over it," she replied taking out her phone to call David to come pick her up. "If we're going to raise Henry, we have to agree on some things."

"Like what's best for Henry."

"Exactly."

"You don't have to do this," Killian said, turning to look at her. "Henry is my family, my blood."

"You think that matters? Blood?"

He shrugged. "In this way it means that I have a legal responsibly and you don't."

"And you think you're going to be a great influence on him?" Emma asked, getting into his face. "With your drinking, and your job at the bar, and the hundred of women who walk through your life, not to mention your bedroom!"

"And what about you? Miss Nobody-Touch-Me-Because-I-Might-Get-Hurt Swan? I may enjoy the company of women, but at least I'm out in the field! You're so scared of getting hurt, you push everyone away! And one day, you'll do that to Henry too!"

"I would never push Henry away from me!" Emma yelled. She shoved her phone, call unmade, into her purse before balling her hands in fists. She was pressed so tightly, her palms were hurting from her nails.

"I owe everything to Elsa," Emma hissed at Killian. "I am not giving up their child."

"Henry is my nephew!" Killian shouted back.

"And mine!"

"Not by blood!"

"Elsa wanted me to raise her son!" Emma yelled once more. Tears were gathering in her eyes, but she pressed on in a lower, but not less menacing, voice. "Elsa Jones saved my life, both figuratively and literally. And if her dying wish was for me to take care of her son, then I'll be damned if I turn her down. So you may not like it, Killian Jones, but until otherwise, I am not leaving this boy's side. He will never be abandoned."

Killian was giving her an odd look. She couldn't quite place it. It was more than pity, it was almost like he saw a side of her that he had never noticed before. And she couldn't decided if that was a good thing or a bad one.

"Like you were," he replied softly.

That stops her up short. "What?"

"I saw you there," he said, nodding towards the building. Looking straight down at her, Emma was paralyzed under those baby blues. "I saw how defensive you got when you thought Henry would be entering the foster care system. It wasn't because you wanted to raise him, no. It was because you went through it. You were abandoned."

"You know nothing about me," she muttered.

He shrugged. "Alas, I do. Because you, love, are an open book. I'm sure if you would just let me, I would be able to read you perfectly."

"You think you are so smooth, don't you? I can promise you, Jones, you are never going to get close me."

"I didn't say I wanted to. I only said I could read you. Open book and all." With that, Killian nodded his head toward her direction before turning around and walking to his motorcycle.

Emma remained frozen for a few minutes, thinking about what he said. She wasn't an open book. It was just a lucky guess that he knew she was abandoned. Unlike some people, Emma did not wear her heart on her sleeve. He couldn't possibly know her, understand her thought process. No way.

Still frustrated, Emma took out her phone and dialed for Walsh instead.

~*~

As soon as Emma got into Walsh's car, she asked him to take her to the docks. She needed to think and that was her go-to spot. Walsh quietly did as she asked, though she could see him biting his lip, trying to stop himself from asking her what exactly was going on. Why was  she at the lawyer's office? Emma had no idea how she was going to explain that she was not only a mother now, but also going to live with another man.

They got out of the car and walked to the boardwalk. He couldn't wait any longer. "Emma, what is going on? Why were you at the lawyer's office? What happened?"

"I need to talk to you. Something...drastic just happened."

They found a bench and sat down. Walsh sat facing her, his knees just barely touching hers.

"Elsa and Liam...I was called to the office because of their will. Apparently..." She looked down at her hands, twisting them around. Taking a deep breath, she said, "They left their house, their cars, and...Henry. They left it all to me and Killian."

Walsh moved closer. "What do you mean...you're taking care of Henry now?"

Emma nodded. "Yeah." Tucking some hair behind her ear, she said, "Elsa and Liam made Killian and I Henry's legal guardians." The more she said it, the more real it became. At first it seemed like a dream, like a story that she had seen in a movie or read somewhere. But now it was settling in, making itself more and more realistic. She was actually doing this. She was actually going to raise her best friend's son.

"Did they tell you that they did this?"

Emma didn't look at him. Staring out at the ocean, hoping it would calm her down, she shook her head. "No."

"They should have."

"They didn't think anything was going to happen to them, Walsh. God, they were just starting off their life. And now they're...." Emma couldn't say the word. It sounded so final.

But Walsh knew what she was going to say anyway. "That's a lot of responsible for you. Is there someone else who could do it?"

Turning her head sharply, she said "I don't want anyone else, Walsh. I want to raise Henry."

"Raising a child is a lot of work, Emma. You'd have to cut back your hours, or maybe quit...."

"I've known Graham for years, I'm sure I can talk to him."  

"And where are you going to live?"

"In their house."

"Would you be okay with that?"

She shrugged. "I'm gonna have to be okay with it."

"And you mentioned a Killian? Who's she?"

Emma's eyes widen. She never told Walsh about Killian? At all? She must have, once or twice to complain, she was sure.

"That's Liam's younger brother."

"His younger...you're gonna live with another guy?!" Walsh sat back a little straighter, his eyes opened wide.

"That's part of the arrangement, yeah."

"Emma, are you sure about this? Maybe this Ian--"

"Killian," Emma corrected.

But he continued as though she didn't speak. "--Could do it without you. Or doesn't Elsa have a sister?"

"Well, yeah, but she's only 22 and in college and she's not ready to take care of a child."

"And you are?"

Emma could feel her walls going up. She let go of her deep breath as she said as calmly as she could, "Elsa wanted me to raise her kid. I'm gonna do it."

"Emma..."

"Do you doubt I could?"

"What? No, of course not, Emma. But you have to admit this is going to be a challenge. And I'm not sure I like you living with another man."

Emma sighed. "Walsh, Killian and I don't even like each other. But we both love Henry more than anything, so we're putting our personal feelings to the side in order to figure out what's best for Henry."

"What if you both live in your separate apartments and Henry splits his time with you guys?"

"No way. Henry is not going to go through any more changes. He's just lost his parents, he's not losing his house too."

"Emma..."

"You're not talking me out of this, Walsh. I'm doing it."

Walsh looked at her before nodding once. "If you need anything, anything at all, you call me, okay? Even if it's three o'clock in the morning."

"You might regret that, but thanks," Emma smiled.

~*~

The fact that Emma could fit all of her personal belongings into three small suitcases kind of depressed her. And the fact that she was moving into her best friend's house under dire circumstances did nothing to lighten her mood.

She was just staring up at the house when a motorcycle pulled into the driveway. Killian got off and looked over at her before giving a sort of smile/grimace. Whether he was thinking the same thing as her (that he was moving into his brother's house under horrible circumstances) or not, she wasn't sure. Maybe it was the fact that he now lived with her that he hated. She didn't know and before she could ask him, the door flung open and Anna was standing there, Henry screaming on her hip.

"Oh thank God you're here. He will not stop crying!" Anna ran out of the house and gave the screaming baby to Emma, who immediately dropped her bags to hold on to him. Emma began bouncing him gently, making cooing sounds. "I have tried everything to calm that kid down, but nothing works!"

Killian walked over and his face scrunched up. "Did you check his nappie?"

Anna cocked her head. "You mean did he take a nap? Because, yeah, he was sleeping but then he woke up and I thought 'Great! I'll tire him out for when Emma and Killian arrive' and we were playing and bouncing around and --"

"No, his nappie," Emma interrupted because Anna could go on and on. She reached to check, but she was positive that he went. Just like Killian, she could smell it. "His diaper."

"Oh, his diaper. No, I didn't check. Though now that you mention it, he does sort of smell. I just thought that how babies smell."

"Though I'll grant you that babies have a smell, smelling like shite is not it," Killian replied.

"Yeah, he went. I'm gonna go change him. Killian can you grab my stuff?" Emma asked, already heading towards the house.

"I'm gonna need your keys," he said.

Emma turned around. "Why?"

He gestured to her three bags. "Well, this can't possibly be it."

She stood straighter. "It is," she said curtly before marching inside with Henry sniffing into her long blonde hair.

When they reached his room on the second floor, Emma immediately headed towards his changing table. She had done this  a hundred times before, usually with Elsa sitting in the rocking chair in the corner, whispering about gossip she had heard.

But that rocking chair was empty now, and no one had gossip for her to hear. So, quietly, Emma changed Henry's diaper and put on new pants for him. He babbled at her, and though Emma didn't want to, she gave a small smile.

Picking Henry up, she held him tightly to her chest, breathing in his (nonpoop) smell. "It's going to be okay, Henry. You'll see. Everything will work out in the end."

If only she actually believed that.

~*~

When Emma came downstairs with Henry, Killian was standing in the kitchen, at a loss of what to do next. Emma's bags sat stacked neatly by the stairs.

"So, um, what now?" he asked, when he heard her walk in with Henry.

"I don't...Did he eat?"

"I don't know."

"Didn't you ask Anna?"

"Anna got out of here as fast as she could. She barely said good-bye."

"Fine. So, um," she shifted Henry. After a few moments of silence, Emma said, "Why did Liam and Elsa always look like they were running around to help Henry, and we have no idea where to start?"

Killian scratched right behind his ear. "I have no idea, love--Emma! Emma, sorry. I know you don't like being called 'love.'"

Putting Henry down, Emma replied, "God, you remember that?"

"You don't forget getting yelled at during your first date."

"Our only date."

"Aye," he chuckled. "Look at us now. Wouldn't have believe it, eh?"

"I wouldn't have believed it last week, let alone four years ago." They heard a thump and went running into the living room to see Henry pulling down Killian's bag off the couch. The bag wasn't overly heavily, but much more than he should have been able to pull.

"Strong lad, aren't ya?" Killian picked Henry up and swung him up onto his shoulders.

"Oh, Killian, be careful! He's not a doll!"

"He's not? I was certain he was," Killian said, holding onto Henry's tiny hands.

Emma shook her head before rolling it backwards. She could already feel the tension rising in her neck.

It was going to be a long seventeen years.

~*~

Two hours later, an exhausted Killian grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and walked into the living room. Henry was sleeping in his playpen and Emma was sitting on the couch, papers and books all around her.

Collapsing in a chair, Killian whispered, "We need to establish a schedule." Henry fell asleep only moments ago, and Killian did not need him to wake up. "Some kind of schedule, of any kind."

"Like a sleep schedule?" Emma asked, putting down one book and raising another to flip through.

"What?"

She looked up. "What?"

"What are you talking about?"

"A sleep schedule. For Henry. Apparently that's very important." She dropped the book she was holding and rubbed her face. Groaning she leaned back, looking up at the ceiling. "I don't even know where to begin."

"Let's start by making a schedule. You know, for nights off and when we have to work and things like that."

She looked over at him. "That's not a bad idea, Jones. I'll pick up a huge calendar tomorrow."

"When are you, or I if we're being honest, going to have the time to run to the store? Tomorrow's the funeral and Henry is going to be taking up most of our time. Which is why we need a schedule." Killian took a sip of his water.

Emma looked over at him with a critical eye. It made him nervous. "What?"

"You're organized? Like you keep schedules and stuff like that?"

"What? You don't?"

"Not really. I mean, I don't write them down. It's all up here," she said pointing to her head.

Sliding down in his chair, he said, "Let's just say if I don't write things down, I tend to be late to things."

"Like a date?"

He grinned. "Exactly."

"Hmm," she hummed before picking up her phone. "I'll order a calendar from Amazon. Since I have prime, it should be here in two days."

"Sounds good." He closed his eyes and only opened them when she asked, "Did they speak to you? About what would happen if they...?"

He looked over at her. He knew what she was asking. "No."

"Me neither. You would think that would be something they would mention along the way."

"When were they going to fit in it? 'Oh, Killian, did you see that soccer game last night? Wasn't that one hell of a kick? Oh, by the way, Elsa and I made you and Emma the legal guardians of Henry in case anything happened to us.' It's not something that you can just slip into an everyday conversation."

"And it's not something that just slips your mind." Emma shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you, Killian, but we're in this together."

"Living together in this house, both sleep-deprived? That doesn't sound like a life, that sounds like an awful psych experiment."

[searchingwardrobes]

Chapter One of my Captain Swan Twister AU (assuming everyone doesn’t hate me for the prologue)

Rating: T

Trigger warning: major character deaths

You can read the prologue here Prologue Ao3

18 years later

It was a gorgeous spring day; at least most would think so. But Emma Swan, with a master’s degree in atmospheric sciences and meteorology, could see trouble brewing. It was subtle; the lack of a breeze on an otherwise pleasant day, the greenish-gray tinge of sky off in the distance, and the rumble of thunder so many miles away, only people attuned to it would notice.

But Emma wasn’t concerned with the weather. She was concerned with the man chasing it. Graham parked his Dodge pickup along the side of the rural Oklahoma road. He glanced over at her with a tentative smile, and she reached over to squeeze his hand reassuringly. She looked out the windshield at the beat up, brown 73 Ford sitting in front of her. Seeing it again flooded her with memories she wasn’t expecting. To push them back, she reminded herself of the past month and how many phone calls Killian had ignored. Resolute and sufficiently pissed, she opened the door of Graham’s cab and jumped to the ground. She clenched her fists as she marched across the sparse grass.

A cylindrical machine sat in the back of the truck, a machine Emma knew well, down to the circuit boards and wiring. Killian’s dark head popped up from behind it. He glanced her way, his blue eyes simultaneously widening and darkening. He then purposefully looked away.

“Hey, Rubes,” he yelled, “come check out the antenna. It seems secure, but last time we didn’t get decent connection.”

Emma put her hands on her hips and scowled up at him. “Don’t ignore me, Killian Jones!”

He took a step towards the open tailgate, his jaw clenching, but before he could say anything, a squeal pierced the air.

“Emma!” Ruby shrieked, and the next thing Emma knew, she was practically being tackled by the brunette. “I can’t believe you’re here! It’s been, what? Three years? You’ve got to go see Granny. We’ve missed you!”

Emma felt a twinge of guilt even though Ruby was smiling brightly without a hint of anger in her voice. “I know.” She glanced behind her at Killian. “I’m hoping things can be different now.” She stepped around Ruby to come closer to the truck. “If this stubborn asshole will actually have a conversation with me.”

Killian’s eyes sparked with anger, and Emma wondered if this whole thing was a mistake. She glanced behind her, catching Graham’s eye as Killian jumped down from the truck. He walked across the grass towards them, and she raised her hand surreptitiously. Killian would never hurt her, she knew this. But Graham didn’t, and Killian’s emotions could be volatile. The last thing she wanted was an altercation between the two of them.

“Being pissed about me ignoring you is a bit hypocritical, don’t you think?” Killian spat, getting into her personal space like he always did.

Emma glanced away, gnawing at the inside of her cheek. The comment was justified, she knew that. Especially since he didn’t have all the facts.

“I . . . had my reasons.”

“So why are you back?” He demanded, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I . . . uh, think I’ll check on that antenna,” Ruby muttered, scrambling into the bed of the truck.

Graham came up then, placing an encouraging hand to the small of Emma’s back. She was pretty sure Killian would interpret it as a possessive gesture. She glanced up, her heart sinking as she saw Killian’s gaze swing between her and Graham.

She took a deep breath, “Killian, this is Graham. We’re . . . getting married.”

Killian blinked, his head recoiling slightly at her words. Then his chest rose and fell rapidly as he hissed through clenched teeth, “So that’s why you’re here? To rub this in my face?”

“No,” Emma said, trying to rein in her own emotions. They had always fed off each other, joy, sadness, anger, but today she had to stay calm. “But there are . . . complications that I need to discuss with you. If you had answered your damn phone, or returned my calls, I wouldn’t have had to –“

“Seriously?” Killian cut her off with a sharp laugh. “What complications? We were never married, Swan, or have you forgotten the day you turned down my proposal?” He tilted his head as he gave Graham a vicious stare. “Let me warn you, she runs.”

The words cut Emma deep. Damn him, he knew just what buttons to push.

“I’m just here as emotional support for Emma,” Graham explained, taking a step away from her side. Emma knew it was his way of diffusing the situation and in no way meant he wasn’t one hundred percent behind her. His calm in the midst of chaos was what made him such a wonderful detective with the Atlanta PD, and Emma had to admit, that contrast with Killian’s mercurial personality had been a large part of the man’s appeal.

“Hey, Killian,” another voice called. This one came from the camper parked perpendicular to the road next to Killian’s old truck. The red head poking her head out of its screen door gasped when she saw Emma. She screamed louder than Ruby had as she raced to embrace Emma.

“Ariel,” Emma laughed, “you’re still chasing storms with this motely crew?”

Ariel shook her head, laughing as well. She gave Killian a playful shrug. “With you gone, someone’s got to keep this guy’s head on straight.” She and Killian immediately blushed, glancing away from one another, and Emma wondered briefly what that was all about.

“Ariel is the data analyzer for the team,” Emma explained to Graham. He smiled and reached out to shake her hand. Ariel glanced at Emma with a question in her eyes. “And Ariel, this is Graham, my, um, fiancé.”

“Oh,” Ariel said, her voice hesitant, and there was that awkward glance shared with Killian again. She shuffled her feet and brushed her hair off her shoulder after releasing Graham’s hand. “Um, so Killian, there’s a storm brewing over in Rush Springs. Looks like a good one.”

“Shit,” Killian swore, jumping back up into the bed of the truck, “Ruby, please tell me you’ve got that antenna working.”

“She’s all ready to go, boss,” Ruby assured him, slapping the top of the giant tin can.

“Dorothy II?” Graham noted. “I mean, I get it, but . . . I thought you hated that book?”

Killian finished tinkering with the controls on Dorothy II, then grinned down at her and Graham. “We both do, but nothing from Peter Pan really fits storm chasing.”

Emma couldn’t help sharing a tiny half smile with him. She remembered so many nights of him reading to her under the covers with a flashlight, both of them imagining what it would be like, as a lost boy and a lost girl, to live on a magical island. Half the time Granny would catch him in her room, and drag him out by the elbow, muttering about how they were much too old at 12 and 10 to be sharing a bed. Heat flooded Emma’s cheeks as her mind tripped forward to when Granny caught him in her room again four years later. Emma shook her head, cursing herself. It made sense at fourteen to be mortified caught making out with your boyfriend. She was a grown woman now who shouldn’t be feeling this heat deep in her core over long buried memories. She was young then, her feelings for Killian so pure and uncomplicated. So much had changed since then.

Killian jumped over the side of the truck and jumped into the cab. Emma dashed over, grabbing the edge of the open window with both hands.

“This isn’t over, Killian. We need to talk.”

“You had three years to talk, Emma. How many of my calls did you ignore when you left?” he glanced down at the diamond ring on her left hand. “And here all this time I thought you were just afraid to commit.”

He turned away from her, turning the key in the ignition. It made that clicking sound Emma remembered it making on a regular basis before finally starting. But this time, Killian tried it multiple times, to know avail.

“Come on!” Killian growled in frustration, smacking the steering wheel with the palm of his hand.

“Uh boss, we gotta get moving,” the plump, bearded man in the driver’s seat of the camper called out through his open window. When he saw Emma, his eyes brightened. “Emma! It’s great to see you! We’ve all –“

“Smee!” Killian barked as he jumped from the truck, slamming the door, “We don’t really have time to shoot the breeze, mate.”

“R-right, boss,” Smee apologized, fiddling with the red knit cap perched on his head. Emma smiled at the nervous man. Some things never changed.

Killian jumped up in the bed of the truck and started sliding Dorothy II closer to the tailgate. “You want to talk, Swan?” he said to her. “Let me use that shiny truck over there to transport Dot, and we’ll talk.”

Emma crossed her arms over her chest as she stared at up at him. She let out a deep sigh, then scrambled up with him. Graham rushed over to the truck, his face starting to go pale.

“You can’t be serious!” he exclaimed.

“It’ll be fine, Graham, really,” she grunted as they slid the aluminum machine to the edge of the tailgate. It was much lighter than Dorothy I, and was actually more cumbersome than heavy, but they didn’t want to risk damaging it before it could be transported to the sight of the storm.

“Fine?” Graham argued. “You’re talking about chasing a tornado, Emma! In my truck!”

She helped Killian lower Dorothy II from the truck then they slowly made their way to the back of Graham’s. Once they had shut the tailgate, Emma turned to her fiancé, grasping both his hands in hers. “Can you trust me, please? The crew has to take every opportunity to get Dot airborne.”

“This is tornado alley . . . “ Graham said, trailing off.

“If you’re scared, mate, you can stay behind in the camper.” Killian’s cocky grin was definitely a challenge.

Graham rose to it, literally puffing out his chest. “Fine,” he muttered, “just tell me what to do.”

Emma snatched the keys out of his hands. “Someone with experience needs to drive, babe.”

As the three of them piled into the truck, Emma’s fiancé sandwiched between her and her ex, Graham muttered, “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

Frankly, Emma couldn’t either.

@shipsxahoy @tiganasummertree @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @thejacketandthehook @shady-swan-jones @bethacaciakay @galadriel26 @teamhook @cat-sophia @coliferoncer @allofdafandoms-blog @pocket-anon @dassala @branlovesouat @flslp87 @snowbellewells @thislassishooked @yayimallamaagain

[flslp87]

Reposted for @searchingwardrobes neat little event is my take on an older movie, The Promise.   And that amazing video was put together by my friend @duathadun 

Captain Swan is my favorite Rom Con

The Promise

A Captain Swan AU

Killian and Emma, two people longing for love. Come along on their journey of True Love, filled with romance, passion, and challenges as they fight for their Happy Beginning in The Promise.

Special thanks to @duathadun  @hellomommanerd  @linda8084  @juliakaze

Can be found on Tumblr (1)  (2)  (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14)                              (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23)  (24) (25) (26) (27)

Can be found on FF  (Rating changed to M) Can be found on AO3  (Rating will remain T to T+)

[searchingwardrobes]

This is a great fic rec list for #csromcom18! This hopefully will tide you all over until I do a round up of all the officially posted fics. Holy Moly, our fandom has produced so much fantastic fic, I need a week to just do nothing but read CS!

@shipsxahoy @tiganasummertree @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @thejacketandthehook @shady-swan-jones @bethacaciakay @galadriel26 @teamhook @cat-sophia @coliferoncer @allofdafandoms-blog @phiralovesloki @pocket-anon @dassala @branlovesouat @flslp87 @snowbellewells @thislassishooked @yayimallamaagain

CaptainSwan Movies Inspired Au Recs

Hello Beautiful Fandom, the other day I received an ask about making a list about CS fanfiction inspired by movies, and you guessed it this is the list! If you have any list request come tell me, I am always in for making them. Hope you enjoy. 🎬🎥📺 

Multichapter

Complete

Captain Swan Is My Favorite Rom-Com, @searchingwardrobes

A collection of Captain Swan movie AUs.

Coming Home to You, @phiralovesloki

Sweet Home Alabama AU- Emma Swan has worked hard to escape her troubled past and start a brand new life. But with that brand new life now involving a new fiancé, there’s something in her old hometown that she has to go back for: a divorce.

On the Virge, @hookedonapirate

Emma Swan is an aspiring filmmaker struggling to get a job in Hollywood. When she lands an editing position at a porn production studio and has to collaborate with the director, Killian Jones, she realizes it’s definitely more than she bargained for. Based on the movie, Finding Bliss. Contains obscene language and sexual humor.

Persuading Emma, @dassala

Jane Austen AU. 1794 - Maine Territory, Massachusetts - The daughter of a wealthy American Gentleman, Emma Nolan has her coming-out ball at her father’s estate, Storybrooke House, where she meets a charming young British lieutenant who has defected to the American Navy.

The Proposal,  BRBDyying

A Modern CS AU based off of the movie ‘The Proposal’. Killian is in danger of being deported, so he enlists Emma’s help to stay in the country. By marrying him. Rating based off slight language, if it’s any more than a few curse words, I’ll put it at the beginning of the chapter.

The Writing’s On the Wall, @hookedonapirate

Modern Lieutenant Duckling friendship/Captain Swan friends with benefits AU. Emma and Killian become best friends in an orphanage when they are thirteen and after they reunite years later, they add a physical component to their friendship. When true feelings are finally revealed, will it tear their friendship apart or turn it into something more? Based on movie No Strings Attached. 

The Pirate Trap,  Lin_ifyouplease

Lizzie Jones has never met her mother. Leia Swan has never met her father. After a chance encounter during a fencing match at Summer Camp, these two girls discover they are the identical twin daughters of the divorced. Emma Swan and Killian Jones. The suave Lizzie and clever Leia stage an identity swap. If it works, they could bring their whole family back together. BASED ON THE 1998 MOVIE “THE PARENT TRAP”

Almost is Never Enough, @sharky-clarky

Modern CS AU. Love, Rosie cross over. Emma and Killian met as children in England and grew up together in the foster system. But after nights of firsts, dreams and bad decisions their lives end up flying in different directions. Killian to university in America and Emma into motherhood. Despite staying in touch, the world seems adamant they stay apart. But will their luck change?

Chocolat, @lenfaz

AU based on the movie.

Wip

Captain Swan is My Favorite Rom-Com: 2018 Edition,  @searchingwardrobes

The second collection of Captain Swan Movie AUs. Not all will be rom-coms, that’s just a cute title ;) Up first: The Fugitive (ch1-6) and Adventures in Babysitting (ch 7-?)

One-shot

A Pirate Comes to Pemberly, @mryddinwilt

Years ago Miss Emma Nolan of Pemberley was left heartbroken by the unfaithful Neal Cassidy. Now an older and wiser young woman a chance meeting with the scandalous Captain Killian Jones leaves her determined to not make the same mistake. A OUAT AU fused with Pride & Prejudice where David and Snow are Lizzy and Darcy and Emma is Georgiana.

on a roman holiday,  bluestoplights

Roman Holiday AU / Emma wasn’t exactly expecting to become a princess after 28 years separated from her family. Killian Jones might help her come to terms.

we’re simply meant to be, @caprelloidea

A Nightmare Before Christmas AU. Emma is the princess of Valentine’s Day Town. Killian is a realm traveling, liquor looting, candy stealing Pirate King. Sparks fly when they cross paths on their quest for a new adventure. Literally.

Two-shot

The Favor, @madjm

What’s Your Number? AU. Emma Swan doesn’t do relationships, but her annoyingly attractive neighbor, Killian Jones, might change her views. 

[searchingwardrobes]

What My Muse Did On Summer Vacation

I posted that I was out of town for 8 days and hardly wrote a word. However, my muse was still alive and kicking. Therefore, I now have an actual plan for what I'll be writing for Captain Swan is My Favorite Rom Com 2018. So I thought I'd give you all a little preview. Will all this actually get written? Who knows. But this is my grandiose plan at least.

1. Fugitive AU: This is the only one I've actually written anything for. It's five chapters so far. Emma is the federal Marshall and Killian is the fugitive who swears he didn't kill his wife Milah. In my version, these two characters have far more interaction (wink wink)

2. Adventures in Babysitting AU: I wanted to do this one last year, actually. And I mean the 1987 Elisabeth Shue version not the 'tween Disney channel version. And no, Killian won't be driving that wrecker. He'll be the college hottie who can't believe Emma's a senior in high school. And he'll play a much larger role than the character in the movie.

3. Hope Floats AU: I'm not sure yet how I'll translate this one, but it has to be done because . . . Neal the Jerk.

4. Twister AU: You can blame @yayimallamaagain and @kmomof4 for this one. How many fics would never have been written if not for Krystal . . .

5. Girls Just Want to Have Fun AU: I could just see Charming as the over protective dad in this. And Ruby as the wild friend. And Killian as the guy from the wrong side of the tracks. And Regina as the conniving rich girl. Besides, @hollyethecurious had to go and use the quote "It's the safest thing you'll ever have between your legs" in one of her stories. So thanks a lot, Hollye!

6. Bring It On AU: This came to me after chatting about dance movies with @snowbellewells because I started reminiscing about my dance and cheer days. Killian makes a perfect Cliff, but I wasn't sure at first how Emma could fit in that universe. She doesn't work at all as Torrance, but Missy? I could totally see Emma frustrated when her new school doesn't have a gymnastics team and then tries out for the squad when someone (Ruby?) dares her to. Naturally, she wouldn't be Killian's sister though. Mary Margaret would be a perfect Torrance, the hopeful captain, and of course David would be on the squad too. Ooh, and Anna! And of course, Neal is perfect as the cheating scumbag boyfriend who never believes in Emma. I got so into plotting all this, I got distracted and started a Snowing cheerleading AU one shot. It's almost done . . .

7. The Wedding Singer - I haven't decided yet if it should be Emma or Killian left at the altar. Thoughts? I mean, Neal makes such a great scumbag boyfriend, I kind of want to leave the roles the way they are in the movie . . .

Well, I better quit wasting time on tumblr and get to work . . .

@shipsxahoy @tiganasummertree @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @thejacketandthehook @shady-swan-jones @bethacaciakay @galadriel26 @teamhook @cat-sophia @coliferoncer @allofdafandoms-blog @phiralovesloki @pocket-anon @dassala @branlovesouat @flslp87 @snowbellewells @thislassishooked

[thejacketandthehook]

CSFF: Before Dawn 2/?

Title: Before Dawn 

Author: thejacketandthehook (aka everystareverywhere) 

Summary:  Emma Swan and Killian Jones only had one thing in common: Emma's best friend and Killian's brother were dating. But Emma and Killian could not get along. That was, until the day they had to work together through a tragedy that no one saw coming.

Rating: General (but that will change to Mature in later chapters) 

Word Count: 6529

Disclaimers: I own absolutely nothing. 

Author’s Notes:  So, I’ve been in the mist of writing this particular story for almost two years. And I’m hoping that if I have support, I’ll be more motivated to finish it. So my story is based off of the movie "Life As We Know It" starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. And below is the first chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter One

You can also read it here: A03

@searchingwardrobes

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two Months Later

Emma smiled as her boyfriend, Walsh, leaned across the table, gently taking her hand in his.

"You are an amazing woman, Emma Swan," Walsh smiled. She and Walsh had been going out for the last four months, and though Emma really didn't believe in love at first sight, or any kind of nonsense like that, she was smitten with him. He was just that kind of guy; charming to a fault, but also kind and considerate. He loved spending quiet time with Emma, but also loved being around Liam and Elsa (he's never met Killian; Emma felt he didn't need that kind of torture). With his shaggy brown hair and warm brown eyes, he was exactly what Emma needed and wanted. Elsa saw that the first time Emma brought him to her house from BBQ. Walsh and Liam got along wonderfully, and even Henry seemed to like him -  though to be fair, Henry likes everyone, but still. It was nice that Walsh could fit into her little life. It meant a lot.

"I know," she smiled back, tilting her head to the side. They had just finished dinner and the waitress asked if they wanted desert.

"I can't eat another bite," Emma replied, leaning back and rubbing her hand over her completely full stomach.

"Oh, come on! You have to have their ice cream! You love the ice cream here."

That was true, but still..."Walsh, I couldn't."

"Fine, I'll take the ice cream."

After he told her what flavor he wanted and the waitress walked away, Walsh excused himself to go to the bathroom. Emma was fiddling with her phone, checking Facebook and Instragram when he returned. "Everything alright with work?"

"Yeah, yeah. I haven't been assigned a new case yet."

"You will be soon."

"Well, I just closed one today."

"And that is why you are the best detective here in Storybrooke."

Emma gave a small chuckle. "I wish that felt like a big victory, but...I want to go where there is real detective work. Like in New York. Or Boston."

"You want to leave Elsa? And Henry?"

She shrugged. "It's a dream right now. I'm sure that I'm not gonna..." Just then her cell phone rang. Usually she would ignore it, because she was on a date with Walsh and it wasn't her work ringtone. But it was Anna's face that appeared on the screen. And Anna rarely called Emma. And right then, Emma's stomach dropped.

"I should take this," she muttered before picking up and phone and turning slightly to the side before swiping her finger along the bottom. "Hello?"

"Emma?" Though it was Anna's voice, it...wasn't. Because Anna was usually chipper to the point where you wanted to tie her down and read her horrible stories about how magic really works in Disney World until she loses that innocence. But right now it sounded like she had found it all on her own. "Emma...I can't..."

She's crying. Why was she crying?

"Anna? What is it? Are you okay? Is it Henry?" Oh no, please let it not be Henry. Please say Henry is fine. Because Elsa and Liam would lose it if something happened to Henry.

"He's..." Anna sobbed so loud, Emma pulled the phone away from her ear, but she quickly replaced it, in case she continued talking. Emma wanted to jump out of the chair and start pacing, but since she was in a public place, she couldn't. But her body wanted to move while her mind was trying to focus on Anna.

"Anna? Anna, is it Henry? Is he okay?" Emma asked, anxious. Anna was not answering her questions and she was starting to freak out.

"Henry's...he's fine...but Emma...Come to the hospital. Now!" Before she can say another word, Anna hung up.

Emma slowly lowered the phone, Walsh's ice cream placed in front of her on a lovely dish. But she barely saw it before she gathered up her belongings. "I need to go."

"I gathered," Walsh said, signaling to the waitress for the check. "Is Henry alright?"

"I don't...Yes, he's okay. But I don't understand why she called. I need to go to the hospital."

"Wait, I'll drive you."

Emma stood up, ready to run out of there and run to the hospital if she had to. "Walsh, I can't--"

"I'll take you. You're in no condition to drive." The waitress appeared with the check. Walsh handed her his credit card and said, "We need to leave now, so hurry up." Usually he's so considerate to waiters and waitresses, but he knows that Emma's in a rush.

"It has be something to do with Elsa," Emma says, trying to figure out what got Anna so upset. "If it's not Henry, than it's Elsa. It has to be."

The waitress returned with the receipt and Walsh signed it before the two of them ran out of the restaurant and towards his car.

The drive to the hospital took forever, but they were also there in record time. Emma ran towards the doors when she saw someone running out of the corner of her eye. She didn't stop, even when she recognized Killian's profile. When he saw her, he came closer before asking, "Henry?"

She knew what he was asking: was Henry hurt? She shook her head. "I don't think so."

Walsh was right behind the two of them as they entered the hospital. Emma and Killian went straight to the front desk. They spoke at the same time. "I want to see my brother, Liam Jones." "I need information on Elsa Jones."

The nurse looked at the two of them. "You must be the family members. Let me page the doctor for you." She turned around and picked up the phone.

"This is not good," Emma whispered. "If we need to talk to a special doctor, this is not good."

"Think positive Emma. They could be in a minor accident. Anna is a bit overdramatic."

Killian turned to look at Walsh, but didn't say anything. At that moment, the nurse turned around and said, "Dr. Whale is on the third floor."

The three of them went speeding towards the elevators. But they were taking too long, and Emma was jumpy, so when she saw the staircase, she went towards them instead. She thought that she heard Walsh and Killian behind her, but she wasn't certain. Everything felt like a dream, a really awful dream where you can't wake up. It felt fuzzy and uncertain and all Emma wanted to do was going back to the restaurant with Walsh and finish their date.

But when she threw open the door and saw Anna sobbing into her friend's shoulder, she knew that life was about to change forever.

Anna could barely speak, but her friend, Kris, filled them in. Elsa and Liam were in a terrible car accident. Their car slid and went over a bridge. Another car saw them go over and called the ambulance, but both of them were unresponsive when they were brought in. Henry was not in the car; he was at home, currently sleeping in his bed, a neighbor watching him.

Emma barely heard the words coming out of Kris's mouth. She heard their names and "car accident" and everything went fuzzy. She grabbed onto someone, she wasn't sure who, who helped her sit down. Her legs felt weak and her brain was numb and she just sat there, staring off into nothing. Because she couldn't lose Elsa. Elsa was the only family she had. She had literally no one but her.

Killian sat beside her, but she felt him rather than saw him. He leaned forward and rubbed his hands against his face before standing up and screaming, "Fucking hell!" as loud as he could. If people stopped and starred at him, Emma didn't know. She only heard the sound of his voice, not the actual words.

But she couldn't lose Elsa. She just couldn't.

When Dr. Whale walked into the hallway, Emma could feel the Earth beneath her feet moving and she had nothing to hold on to. Because he told her the one thing she did not want to hear.

"I'm sorry. We did everything we could."

Anna screamed. Killian collapsed. And Emma pulled herself up in a ball and wept. She wept for Liam Jones, the most wonderful (sort of) brother-in-law a woman could ask for. She wept for Elsa, her best friend, her almost sister. They were going to travel the world together. They were going to live next door to each other and have a special pathway put in so someone could get from one house to the other easily. Their children were going to grow up together.

And now she was gone.

Both of them.

Elsa and Liam Jones were dead.

Oh God, what about Henry?

What was going to happen to him? He was an orphan. Two hours ago he was a part of a loving family, one that would do anything to protect him. Now? Now he was an orphan before he could even talk.

Emma knew what that was like, and it was the most awful feeling in the world. The only difference between Henry and Emma is that Henry's family didn't leave him by choice. Emma's did.

But now wasn't the time to wallow in pity. Now she had to help Anna plan not one funeral, but two.

Emma's nights and days became a huge blur. She helped Killian and Anna set up the funerals, and the wake, and what should they bury Elsa and Liam in? She helped take care of Henry, but she was so out of it, a neighbor more often than not took care of him. Anna and Kris were staying with him until they spoke to the lawyer. Even though Elsa and Liam were so young (just over 25), they did in fact have a will. Emma remembered Elsa insisting she and Liam get one when they found out she was pregnant with Henry. "Better safe than sorry," she had said.

Unfortunately, she was right.

The day before the funeral, Anna called Emma to say that the lawyer wanted to speak to Emma at her earliest convenience. Emma wrote down the office address before hanging up.

She looked at her own handwriting. Archie Hopper. What an odd name. Emma wasn't certain why she was so focused on the name, so much so that she sort of just zoned out for a moment.

"Hey, you okay?" someone asked her.

She looked up to see Mary Margaret Nolan and her husband David looking down at her. Mary Margaret and David were Elsa and Liam's neighbors. Emma has of course met them numerous times, and they were certainly nice enough. Slightly older that Emma (by maybe two years), they were married straight out of college and have been by each other's side all the time. Emma wasn't certain whether she has ever seen one without the other.

Mary Margaret was a pretty woman, with a pixie cut black hair and bright green eyes. And she had a full face, though the fact that she was seven months pregnant might have helped with that. And her husband David was the picture boy for the Boy-Next-Door trope. He had sandy colored hair that was always cut short and blue eyes. Both of them were extremely easy to talk to.

"Yeah," Emma said, shaking her head before looking up at them. "I'm okay. How are you doing? How's Henry?"

Mary Margaret and David were the neighbors who had been watching Henry the night of the accident. They were thankful - like everyone else - that Henry wasn't in the car with them. There would have been no way that he could have survived.

"Henry's okay." Mary Margaret looked down that the paper in Emma's hand. "Do you need to go see the lawyer?"

Emma quickly got up, making Mary Margaret and David back up. "Yeah, yeah, I'm suppose I do," she said, sort of in a daze. She's been in a daze since this whole mess started. She wondered if she would ever truly come out it.

"When?" David asked.

"Um, soon."

"You going now?"

"Um...I guess."

"I'll drive you," David suggested. Normally Emma would have objected, stating that she can obviously take her own car, but since she was so out of it, David driving would have been the smarter option.

When they pulled up in front of the law offices, Emma weakly thanked David before getting out. She opened the door and walked towards the correct offices before opening that one. When she walked into the waiting room, she saw the receptionist behind her desk and Killian Jones sitting on one of the hard chair, playing with his phone, a flask barely tucked behind his back. Emma didn't comment. Everyone deals with grief in their own way, and right now a drink sounded like a good idea.

When the receptionist saw Emma, she picked up the phone and called to the lawyer. He must have told her to tell them to come in, since when she hung up, she said to them, "You can go in."

Killian and Emma looked at each other. "Which one?" Killian asked.

"Both of you. He's needs to speak to you both."

Emma wondered what precisely the lawyer needed both of them for, but she figured that she would find out soon enough. Killian let her walk in first before following.

The lawyer's office was spacious, even with the amount of furniture it had in it. He had at least five filing cabinets against the one wall and his desk sat in front of a row of windows. He had a couch and a coffee table sitting in the middle of the room, and in front of his desk sat two chairs. When he saw Emma and Killian, he gestured to them.

"Sit, sit," he said in a soft voice.

Once they were both seated, he introduced himself. "My name is Archie Hooper and I am Elsa and Liam Jones's lawyer. Do you know why you were both called here?" They both shook their heads. "Okay, well, I have their will here and it contains both of you." He took a deep breath before folding his hands on his desk. "Has Elsa or Liam told you what would happen to Henry in the unlikely event of both of them dying?"

Emma's fingers started fidgeting and her heart pounded. What was going to happen to him? "No," she muttered. Killian shook his head.

"Well," Archie continued, "they have both stated that the legal guardians of Henry K. Jones would be...you."

Silence. And then both Killian and Emma leaned forward in their chairs and spoke at the same time.

"What do you mean, 'you'? Like both of us?" Killian asked.

"There has to be misunderstanding somewhere," Emma replied.

Archie held up his hands. "I know this is confusing, and I tried to talk them out of it. Having two people who are not in any form of relationship raising a child...it's complicated. But they insisted that it had to be you. Both of you."

"But I'm his brother!" Killian spoke up with more passion than he had in a week. "It makes sense for me, but for her?"

As much as Emma wanted to smack Killian, he did have a point. Emma wasn't Elsa's true sister, that was Anna. So while it made sense for Killian to take responsibility for Henry, why Emma and not Elsa's actual sister?

"I love Henry just as much as you do," Emma hissed at him.

"But you're not his true aunt, love, no matter how you think otherwise," he replied.

Before Emma could so much as inhale a deep breath to fight back, Archie said, "Now, please. Let's be civil about this. Elsa and Liam have it in their will - both of their wills that if something happened to both of them and they were unable to care for Henry, that--" The lawyer opened the will up to the right page and read it. "'Emma Swan and Killian Jones would be the legal guardians of Henry K. Jones.'" He looked up. "Of course you can think about it."

"How long do we have? To think about it," Killian asked.

"24 hours."

"And then what?" was Emma's concern.

"Well, if you two both decide that you are not fit to take care of Henry, he would go to Elsa's younger sibling, Anna."

"She's only 22," Emma pointed out. "And still in college. She can't raise a baby."

"Well, it would be her decision. However, if Anna too feels that she is not fit enough to take care of Henry, he would go to social services."

"And be put into a foster home? No." Emma sat back and crossed her arms. "Henry is not going anywhere near a foster house."

Killian raised an eyebrow at Emma's outburst, but otherwise said nothing.

Archie nodded. "I understand. But you have to also understand that if no one in his family wants him--"

"I want him," Killian interrupted.

Emma sat up straighter. "Me too. I want to take care of Henry."

Archie raised his eyebrows before saying, "I need you both to understand something of vital importance. Henry is not a toy. He is a living, breathing person who is only barely begun in life. This will not be easy. Being a parent is not an easy job and it is not for the faint of heart."

"Two seconds ago you're telling us to raise Henry, and now you're telling us not to?" Killian's eyebrows creased together. "I don't understand, mate, which is it?"

"I want to do what is best for Henry. Elsa and Liam felt that the two of you were capable of raising their child." Emma and Killian looked at each other from the corner of their eyes, but otherwise said nothing. It was definitely not a secret that Emma and Killian tolerated each other at best, and Elsa and Liam knew that. Why they would want to two people who can barely look at each other to raise their child was unbeknownst to them.

"How--How does this work?" Emma leaned forward. "Like...do we adopt him or...?"

"Well, they named you guardianship. So I just set up a court hearing to grant you temporary custody, and that's it.

"What if one of us wants to adopt him?" Killian asked.

"Well, that would be something that the two of you would need to work through. But, yes, if the judge rules that you, one of you, is capable of raising Henry, then you can adopt him. But let's not get ahead of ourselves." Archie looked at the two of them. They both looked so unsure of what was happening. Like two lost puppies trying to figure out a way home. "Can I make a suggestion? Maybe you two should move in, you know, until things get settled. They did, after all, leave you their house as well..."

"Wait what?" Emma asked.

"Live in their house?" Killian wanted to know.

"Oh, did I not mention that? You would be living in their place."

Emma's eyes opened wide. "We would live in their house?"

Archie nodded. "According to their will, except for a few personal items, everything belongs to the two of you. Their house, their cars, their furniture. Their finances would be used to cover anything for Henry, of course, and their life savings will help you a bit with the upkeep of this house. Their mortgage was paid off, so you two don't need to worry about that." He took a breath. "I think I covered everything. Now. What will your decision be? Will you two raise Henry or not?"

[searchingwardrobes]

Captain Swan is My Favorite Rom Com: Fic Round Up #1

Summer is the time to head to the theater to catch all the newest blockbusters. Or, you could save some money, stay home and munch on some popcorn while reading movie AUs of our favorite pirate and princess! Here is a list of all the fics so far in this little event:

@dassala kicked us off with ​ The Way She Moves, a Pretty Woman AU

     @flslp87 gave us the following re-releases: The Beach House, an AU of The Lake House, The Promise an AU of the movie of the same name, and A Magical Match a movie mash-up of You’ve Got Mail, Superman, The Princess Bride, and Sleepless in Seattle.    

@pocket-anon succumbed to my prodding (lol) and re-released A Fairytale Beginning an AU of Enchanted

 @thejacketandthehook has started a fic called Before Dawn an AU of Life As We Know It

 And finally, @teamhook gave us Wild Within based on the movie Wolf, which was also featured in The Captain Swan Supernatural Summer.

  Also from @onceuponaprincessworld  is a great  CS Movie AU Rec List that features both of my Captain Swan Is My Favorite Rom Com collections as well as other great works from the fandom, including another one from @dassala and the Sweet Home Alabama AU you’ve heard me go on and on about by @phiralovesloki .

Be on the look out today also for chapter two of my CS AU of Adventures in Babysitting! It’s already written and ready to go.

If anyone creates fic or art that is a movie au of our OTP, please tag it #csromcom18 even if something you did long ago. Also message me if I missed anything. Thanks everyone!

@shipsxahoy @tiganasummertree @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @thejacketandthehook @shady-swan-jones @bethacaciakay @galadriel26 @teamhook @cat-sophia @coliferoncer @allofdafandoms-blog @phiralovesloki @pocket-anon @dassala @branlovesouat @flslp87 @snowbellewells @thislassishooked @yayimallamaagain

[snowbellewells]

Ooooh, such a good fic idea!!

a league of their own | captain swan au

“it just got too hard.” “it’s supposed to be hard. if it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. the hard… is what makes it great.”

[searchingwardrobes]

Captain Swan is My Favorite Rom Com

Sorry, I know I said I would post this yesterday! We have VBS at our church this week, and it was all way more hectic than I anticipated. (My kids also had a can of soup for dinner, if that tells you anything.)

Summary: Killian Jones can’t believe the prettiest girl at Boston College is actually a senior in high school. Or that she showed up at a frat party with three kids in tow. Let’s just say it’s going to be one crazy night . . .

Rating: T for themes and language

You can catch up on A03

Chapter Two

Emma was visibly stiff in Killian’s arms as they danced, keeping herself an arm’s length away. She kept glancing over her shoulder nervously at the kids, biting her lower lip. Which was dangerous for him since he was already staring at her lips far too often.

“Relax, they’re three feet away,” he smiled as he spun them both around. “See? Now you can stare at them the entire dance if you want. Though I’d much rather you stare into my devilishly handsome face.”

That got a laugh and an eye roll out of her at least. She let out a long sigh, and her shoulders loosened a bit. “I’m just in way over my head tonight. I don’t know how everything went so wrong.”

Killian tilted his head at her. “How exactly did you end up at a frat party with three kids?”

“Long story.”

Killian shrugged. “It’s a long song.”

Emma pressed her lips together and gave her head one firm shake. “Uh-uh. I don’t share my sob stories with strangers. Besides, if you knew what we’ve been through tonight, you’d turn me in for child endangerment.”

His brow furrowed in concern. What kind of trouble were they in, exactly? Emma’s eyes widened and her shoulders stiffened at the look on his face.

“You’ve done nothing but take care of those kids, Swan,” he assured her gently, softening his expression.

Her lower lip trembled slightly, but he almost missed it as she bit down on it again, tilting her chin up. He wondered if it was habit to keep her feelings at bay. “How can you possibly know that?”

“Well, here the four of you are, after dark in downtown Boston. And . . . they’re alive . . . relatively unharmed . . .” he flashed her a charming smile.

She laughed and didn’t pull away when he dropped her hand to wrap his arms around her waist. She wrapped hers tighter around his neck. She tilted her head back and gave him a smirk of her own that made his stomach flip.

“What about your story?”

Killian arched a brow. “What about me?”

“You know, the accent. What’s a Brit like you doing at Boston College?”

“Ah,” he replied, “well, it’s not very interesting. My brother and I are both swimmers. He got a scholarship to swim here, and whenever I came to visit, the coaches would let me work out with the team. Then they offered me a scholarship too.”

“And you didn’t mind moving so far from home?” Emma asked.

Killian ducked his head and stared at their shoes for a moment. Then his eyes met hers before he answered sincerely, “Liam is home. The only home I have left, actually.”

Emma’s brow furrowed and the smile fell from her lips. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. He’s a stubborn arse at times, but overall he’s decent.”

They fell silent, swaying together as the band crooned about dancing cheek to cheek. As if compelled by the lyrics of the song, they inched closer, and Killian pressed his cheek to the top of her head. Emma’s nose brushed his collar bone. Her hair was soft as silk and smelled like roses.

“Are you in some kind of trouble, Emma?” he asked her softly.

He was afraid she would stiffen in his arms again, but instead she turned her face and whispered against his jaw, “My mom’s car got a flat on the interstate. It’s going to cost fifty bucks for a new one and . . . we don’t have any money.”

Killian pulled away, his eyes cutting from Emma’s worried face to the kids, and back again. He searched her eyes for a moment.

“Stay right here, Swan, I’ll be right back.”

Killian dashed through the living room and into the game room. Jefferson and Will were there playing pool with a couple of sorority girls.

“Have you seen my brother?”

“Yeah,” Jefferson muttered as he lined up a shot, “I think I saw him in the kitchen.”

Killian burst through the next set of doors, relieved to see his brother standing by the snack food chatting with a pretty brunette.

“Liam –“

His brother turned to glare at him. “I’m in the middle of a conversation, little brother, you’re being rude.”

Killian sighed and glared right back. “Liam, for the love of God, this is serious.”

Liam glanced up at the ceiling as if begging God for patience. He excused himself from the brunette to pull his younger brother aside. “Okay, Killian, what the bloody hell is it?”

Killian gestured through the archway that led back into the living room. “Do you see that blonde over there with the three kids? They need money to fix their car. Fifty dollars. I’ve got 25, can you spot me the rest?”

Liam gave him an incredulous look. “Are you serious? How do you even know she’s telling the truth? It could be a scam.”

“Seriously? Look at those little kids and tell me your conscious can risk leaving them stranded with no money in downtown Boston.”

Liam let out a longsuffering sigh, then reached into his back pocket for his wallet. “Okay, Killian, fine,” he took out a wad of bills and slapped them into Killian’s hand. “Here.”

Killian arched a brow as he flipped through the bills. “I said I only needed twenty-five.”

Liam smiled. “I threw in an extra ten. If they’re really stranded, they may need it for food or tokens for the T.”

Killian grinned and slapped his brother gratefully on the shoulder. He knew Liam could never walk away from a good deed.

“Oh and Killian,” Liam stopped him as he walked back towards Emma, “you better get her number.” Then he laughed as Killian’s face burned.

***************************************************

“What’s this?” Emma asked, her mouth open in shock as Killian put the money in her palm. Robin, who sat in her lap, grabbed at the money, but Emma pulled it out of her reach.

“I wanna see if there’s enough for ice cream,” Robin pouted.

“Maybe,” Killian told her with a shrug, “it’s fifty for the tire and a little extra.”

Emma blinked rapidly. “I . . . don’t know what to say. How can I ever thank you?”

Part of Killian wanted to throw out an innuendo, but something about Emma Swan told him that wouldn’t go over very well with her right now. So he just smiled sincerely and said, “You already did.”

Emma pocketed the money and stood to her feet. “Okay, kids, we better get going.”

“What’s the address for this place?” Killian asked. “Is it far?”

She pulled a crumpled bill from her jeans pocket. Killian leaned over to read the address as she smoothed it out.

“Swan, this address is a really dangerous part of Boston. And it’s a long walk from here.”

Emma shrugged. “We’ll take the T.”

“After dark? No way, I’ll drive you.”

Emma pulled the children close against her. “And you think I’m stupid enough to get in the car with a college guy I just met? No way. I’ve seen that after-school special, thank you very much.”

Roland peeked from around Emma’s waist. “Yeah, McGruff the Crime Dog says never get into a strange car.”

Killian sighed, rubbing wearily at his forehead. Did they not know how dangerous this city could be? Especially at night?

“Alright,” he said with a shrug, “then let’s go take the T.”

Emma shook her head. “You don’t have to go with us, Killian, you’ve done enough.”

Killian drilled his eyes stubbornly into hers. “I am not about to have three little kids on my conscious all night. I’m going with you and that’s that.”

Emma scowled. “Fine.” Then she turned on her heel and ushered the kids out the door. Killian grabbed his jacket and dashed after her. This girl very well might be the death of him.

But what a way to go.

@shipsxahoy @tiganasummertree @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @thejacketandthehook @shady-swan-jones @bethacaciakay @galadriel26 @teamhook @cat-sophia @coliferoncer @allofdafandoms-blog @phiralovesloki @pocket-anon @dassala @branlovesouat @flslp87 @snowbellewells @thislassishooked @yayimallamaagain

[searchingwardrobes]

Captain Swan is My Favorite Rom Com: Prompt List #6

Here is the next list of prompts for this summer’s Captain Swan Movie AU event. If you create any fan content, either art or fics, of these prompts or any other movie AUs, please tag it #csromcom18 and then tag me, @searchingwardrobes. I will reblog it and flail! Since tumblr is tumblr, if I don’t reblog your content within 24 hours, please message me or drop me an ask.

Already posted in this event have been the following re-releases:

A Pretty Woman AU by @dassala The Way She Moves

A Lake House AU,The Beach House A CS version of the movie The Promise , and a movie mashup of You’ve Got Mail, Superman, The Princess Bride, and Sleepless in Seattle called Magical Match all by @flslp87

An Enchanted AU A Fairytale Beginning by @pocket-anon

You can find my 2017 movie AU collection Captain Swan is My Favorite Rom Com on Ao3 that includes AUs of The Notebook, Far and Away, 13 Going on 30, and others. I am also working on a new AU of The Fugitive. It is an MC that is so far four chapters, and I will begin posting that later this week.

• • • • •

Now for the prompts!

When Harry Met Sally

Jack and Sarah

High Road to China

The Ugly Truth

The Wedding Planner

I confess, I’ve never even heard of some of these, but if you give me CS in a great story, I’m there. So I hope these inspire the muse!

@shipsxahoy @tiganasummertree @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @thejacketandthehook @shady-swan-jones @bethacaciakay @galadriel26 @teamhook @cat-sophia @coliferoncer @allofdafandoms-blog @phiralovesloki @pocket-anon @dassala @branlovesouat @flslp87 @snowbellewells