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[ilovemesomekillianjones]

All Aboard - A Holiday Epilogue

Merry (Way Late) Christmas @xhookswenchx ! Please accept this humble offering from me, Mrs. Secret Santa, although not so secret now. I hope you enjoy this fluffy and smutty follow up to All Aboard. 

For those of you who don’t know, the original story was based on this post by @xhookswenchx and therefore, the story was only possible because of her. What better way to help me continue to say thanks for the inspiration than to dedicate this holiday epilogue to her. 

Part 1     Part 2     Part 3     ao3     ffnet     Rated M     4.8K

I love writing this version of Emma and Killian simply because they are gone for each other and need each other like all the time. They started off hot and heavy, and even though they aren’t on a train this time, they are still at it. Thank you again to @hookedonapirate for beta reading and feedback!

Epilogue

Several Years Later…

Emma wanted nothing more than to take a nap, but she needed to be ready to volunteer in thirty minutes. This year they were going to the local orphanage to help serve a family style dinner, give out presents, and spend time with the children. Maybe she’d have time to nap afterward.

It had been a busy day already, what with waking up early (on a day off from patrolling Storybrooke as David’s second in command) to brave the throngs of last minute holiday shoppers for the gifts she and Killian had waited until the last minute to procure for tonight’s Dirty Santa gift exchange.

They were attending a holiday party thrown by Mary Margaret’s and Elsa’s co-worker Ruby Hunter and her husband Graham, who was also one of David’s deputies. Killian and Emma were going to pass on the party, but when they found out the Nolans, the other Jones family, as well as new friends from the shipping business, Will and Belle Scarlet, and David’s other deputy, Robin Locksley and his wife, Regina were all attending, they didn’t want to be the only Christmas Scrooges, so they’d decided to go.

Looking into the vanity mirror, Emma finished her makeup with a layer of color to her lips. Rubbing them together and popping them open, she smiled at the decadent holiday color Killian had picked out while they’d been out shopping earlier.

“Ah!” Emma yelled when Killian snuck up behind her and tickled her waist before wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder.

Killian nuzzled his nose between her hair and her neck and inhaled deeply. “You smell divine,” he told her, then proceeded to plant a line of kisses along her neck and down her shoulder.

“Stop it, we’re going to be late.” She shivered just a bit when she felt his cock pressing into her backside. She really could go for a good fuck right now.

“I don’t care if we’re bloody late, I want my wife,” Killian growled into her ear. “I couldn’t have you this morning because we had to wake up and shop, now we have to volunteer, then we have a party. What if you’re too drunk after?” He smirked at her as he cocked an eyebrow, knowing she would remember the incident he was referencing.

“I promise there’ll be no tears shed over not getting to suck your cock, because I don’t plan on being drunk.”    

“What if I’m too drunk?” He kissed up her neck and attempted to reach her mouth.

“Killian, I just put on my lipstick,” she half whined and half sighed. She really did want him; maybe they had a little time?

“Aye, Candy Cane Red, I love that shade on you, darling, but I think it’d look even more magnificent on my cock. Don’t you?”

Emma’s eyes focused on her husband of four years and four days  - they’d gotten engaged over their first summer together and married on December 20th, the one year anniversary of meeting at the King Street Train Station in Seattle, Washington - he’d been absolutely insatiable this holiday season. A vice-like yearning came over her as she turned in his arms. “I don’t know, perhaps we should find out?” she suggested, brushing the hair from his forehead.       

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” a loud voice boomed from the front of their home. Emma and Killian had stayed in the little seaside cottage Liam had set up for his brother’s arrival five years ago. It was perfect for the two of them.

“Shhhhh, maybe they’ll go away if we’re very quiet,” Killian whispered. He smiled as Emma rolled her eyes at him.

“We’re not going away, you two!” Liam shouted. “Stop making out, it’s time to go you concupiscent adolescents.”

Emma’s eyes went wide and she burst into giggles. “I never thought I’d hear the word concupiscent from another living soul.”

“It’s the highbred vernacular ingrained in us dashing Brits, darling.”

“Oh, shut up,” Emma snorted. “Highbred my ass, two seconds ago you wanted to know what Candy Cane Red lipstick would look like on your cock.”

“Gentleman on the streets, rapscallion in the sheets?”

Emma’s eyes sparkled with love for her ridiculous husband. She pecked his lips through her smile. “Whatever you say.” She patted his chest placatingly before walking out to greet Liam and Elsa.

Walking to the front of the house Emma greeted her sister-in-law and brother-in-law with a hug. “He’s not very happy with you,” she told Liam.

“He never is.”

“Good afternoon, sister,” Killian said pulling Elsa into a hug. He narrowed his eyes as he acknowledged his brother, “Liam, you cockblocking sod, haven’t you heard of knocking?”

“Aye, but we’re family, there’s no need to knock among family.”

“That’s it, Swan, we’re changing the locks. Whose idea was it for him to have a key, anyhow?”

“Yours,” they all answered in unison. “So we can feed Nemo when you two travel,” Liam added.

Killian and Emma loved to drive along the coast finding secluded destinations to escape to, and just have each other. They were also the proud owners of a formerly stray black kitten, who needed to be cared for when they were gone. Killian had decided to call him Nemo after the Latin term meaning nobody. He’s nobody, from nowhere, Killian had told her when she’d gotten home from work one day, and he and the kitten were curled up on the couch.

Killian muttered under his breath about pisspoor timing as he and Emma bundled up in their winter gear. This winter was proving to be one of the bitterest on record, with temperature breaking lows and high winds to boot. Walking out the door and loading into Liam’s car, the four headed to meet David and Mary Margaret for their Christmas Eve tradition of volunteering.  

⛄️ ❄️ ⛄️

The afternoon had been amazing, getting to help out on such a special day. The group had stayed later than they’d realized, talking with the children and playing games. Emma’s heart felt full as she remembered how wonderful Killian had been with the little ones, making them laugh hysterically at his antics.

“We will see you at nine, you better not bail!” Elsa said when they pulled into the driveway to drop off Killian and Emma back at home.

“We might,” Killian threatened.

“We won’t,” Emma corrected, running her hand up and down his arm.

The door hadn’t even shut when Killian was pulling Emma into his embrace. He kissed her hugnrily. “I have waited so patiently…”

“Oh, yes, just like a good boy. You must be on the nice list?” Emma rubbed her hands up and down his chest, kneading it ardently.  

“Aye.”

“And what is it you want this year?”

“All I want is my wife,” he purred while kneading and squeezing her ass much like she was his chest.

“I think that can be arranged.” Emma dove back in to continue their kiss when an irritating siren-like sound began blaring from Killian’s cell phone.

“Shit,” Killian cursed, separating from Emma and scrubbing a hand down his face.

“What is it?”

“The alarm was tripped down at the warehouse.”

“Do you have to go?”

“Aye, love. Leroy and Anton have the next two days off for the holiday. I took today to cover if anything happened, and Liam has tomorrow.”

“I could go with you?”

“No need, I’ll be twenty minutes tops, it’s probably just a bird or small animal of some type that tripped the system.” Killian leaned in to peck her lips and bit down on her lower one, “I will see you shortly.”

“Hurry back,” she said breathily, wholly affected by the promise of sin in his words.

Sixteen minutes later…

“Did you get started without me?” Killian asked as he walked down the hall to their room. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight that greeted him. There was his lovely wife, snuggled into the blankets of their bed, and the low vibrating he’d mistaken for one of their toys was actually her snoring as she slept soundly. He decided to let her get the rest she’d been craving.

⛄️ ❄️ ⛄️

“Come on love, time to rise and shine.”

Emma whined as her husband shook her shoulder. She was so comfy, and just five more minutes, that’s all she wanted.  

“We’ll be late for the party if you don’t get up soon.”

Bolting upright and gave her husband a pout. “How long have I been asleep?”

“A couple hours.” He rubbed his arm up and down her shoulder and leaned in to peck her lips.

“I’m so sorry, babe!”

He smiled at her sincerity. “No need to apologize, Swan. I can wait.”

Emma threw the blankets back to reveal her naked form. “I really was intending to, I just decided to lay down to wait for you… and I guess I knocked out before you got back.”

Killian let out a frustrated moan, “Darling, you are killing me.” He stroked his hand over the contour of her bare hip.  

“Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?”

“You’ve been exhausted all day and it wouldn’t have been very gentlemanly of me to selfishly wake you, just for a roll in the sheets.”      

“It’s not selfish if we both get something,” she purred.

Killian smacked her ass lightly. “Mmm, indeed, I guess I didn’t look at it that way. Too late now, we’ll be even more late if we don’t get ready. As it is, Dave is already texting me to find out what time we will be there.”

Emma rolled her eyes at her brother and Mary Margaret, and their penchants for punctuality. “Fine.”

They were ready in record time. Emma wore a strapless, red dress with black jewelry and accessories, including a shawl and stiletto heels, while Killian wore a black button up shirt and black slacks, and a red vest to match Emma’s dress.

After touching up her makeup and curling her hair quickly, they grabbed their Dirty Santa gifts and headed out the door.

The party was actually a huge undertaking. At least half of Storybrooke inhabited the beautifully decorated home, every surface was covered with food, gifts, or alcohol. After eating and mingling Ruby announced that it was time for the Dirty Santa game. There were gifts that ranged from classic, to practical, to sexual, to humorous, to downright weird, and the group shared many laughs as presents were picked and stolen, and guests cheered or pouted.

Once the massive gift exchange was over, an area of the great room emerged as a dance floor, and the kitchen became the place for beer pong and shots. Emma was feeling a little suffocated as she sat in a corner conversing with her closest girlfriends. The music was blaring, she’d eaten just a little too much, and the house had become overly warm as people danced and partied. The windows were now open, and hopefully the chilled winter air would permeate the room soon. She excused herself to the restroom to take a breather. Grabbing a bottle of cold water she headed upstairs to Ruby’s private bathroom so she could rest and clear her head.  

She sat on the extravagant gold chaise lounge that adorned the far wall of Ruby’s mansion sized restroom. She wondered if she’d be able to get away with a bath, then chuckled at herself. She was 33 years old, it wasn’t even midnight and she was ready to be at home. Home in bed with a certain rapscallion, she thought, and suddenly her stomach was churning with a different sensation. A raw need for her husband.   

E: Meet me upstairs. Last room on the left. Now.

K: You want my candy cane?

E: my 👄 on your candy cane

K: 💨

Emma laughed at her phone as she pictured Killian sprinting toward the stairs knocking over anything and anyone in his way. She’d just finished applying a fresh layer of lipstick when the door burst open behind her. “Lock the door,” she commanded in a low voice as she stalked toward him.

Killian complied then turned around and roughly pulled her against his body. “My cock might actually break, it’s so fucking hard.”

His words were a dirty caress and she bit down on her lip to keep from moaning. “I can feel that, babe,” she whispered as she rubbed against him. Emma dropped down to her knees, intent on showing Killian exactly what his cock would look like with Candy Cane Red lipstick painting it. She masterfully unfastened his pants, pulled down his fly and freed him. “I told you I wouldn’t be too drunk,” she smirked before clutching his ass in her hands and sucking his length into her hot mouth.

Normally he’d insist on lady’s first, but Killian was so ready he couldn’t bring himself to halt her ministrations. He grabbed a fist full of her hair on each side of her head and grasped tightly. “Yes, Swan, suck my cock. I’ve been half hard all evening just thinking about your delectable mouth.” He marveled at the way he slid in and out of her pretty lips, and she had indeed painted his cock that delicious shade of Candy Cane Red.

Emma moaned along his shaft as she looked up at him to appreciate his beauty. He was an absolute wreck, hair falling just above his hooded eyes from the way she was working him, cheeks flushed a deep red, the line of his jaw flexing as he gritted and clenched his teeth. He whimpered as his peak crept up on him faster than he wanted, and Emma’s clit sparked with want. “I need you, Killian.”

“Fuck,” he panted as she withdrew her mouth. Dragging her up from her knees, he stole her breath with a desperate kiss. He tore the top of her dress down, exposing her breasts, and hiked the tight skirt up over her ass, all while ravaging her mouth. Killian slapped his palm against her ass cheek and squeezed it with one hand while weaving the fingers of his other hand tightly into the hair at the base of her skull.

Emma moaned when he bit down on her lip. Maybe she should keep him waiting more often; she liked the desperate need in his touch tonight. She slipped her own hands into his pants which loosely hung unfastened on his hips and kneaded his ass. “Someone’s feeling a little vigorous tonight,” she said breathily as she broke the kiss for much needed air.

“Did I hurt you love?” He released the firm hold he’d had on her hair and guided her to sit on the chaise. His ardor immediately cooled, and his concern genuine, he knelt in front of her and smoothed his hands up and down her thighs lovingly.

Emma just laughed. “No Killian, you didn’t hurt me. In fact,” she leaned in, and placed her mouth at his ear, “I like it.” Emma leaned back and bit her lip, waiting on his reaction; even after all this time she could still feel a little bashful with him.  

Killian’s cock jumped as her warm breath caressed his ear. He waggled his eyebrows at her and smoothed his tongue along his bottom lip. “I do love when you tell me secrets, darling.”

Emma giggled at the way his eyebrows danced as he lewdly licked his lips. Biting her nail she asked quietly, “Want to hear another secret?”

Her bit of shyness and the pink on her cheeks was quite arousing for Killian. Pinpricks of sensation broke out across his skin as he watched her bite on her nail and try to act innocent. “Aye,” he replied with a lust fueled timbre.

Emma wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him senseless before trailing her mouth along his jaw and back up to his very sensitive ear, so she could whisper to him. “My panties are all wet.”

“Fucking Hell,” Killian gasped. He could have guessed at that, but hearing her say those words had his cock aching to be buried.

Emma spread her legs wide, grasped one of his hands and pressed it against the thin material of her panties. “See, you make me so wet, Killian” she purred.

He growled at how she uttered his name, and how easily his fingers slid over the soaked silk as he rubbed her clit through the material. “Goddamn love, how long have you been like this?”

She shrugged her shoulders as a small smile pulled at the corner of her mouth.

“Tell me,” he coaxed as he continued to circle her sensitive flesh.

“Just since you came up here.”

“All this,” he emphasized by cupping her sex, “just since I got up here.”

“What can I say? I enjoy blowing you.”

“That arouses you?”

“Does it not arouse you to… go down on me?” Emma asked, unsure if she wanted to know the answer.

“Gods above, I love pleasuring you with my mouth, Swan.”

“Then why would you think it was different for me? Have I ever done anything to make you think I don’t enjoy it?”

“I suppose not. I guess most women just make it sound as though it’s a chore.” Bending down he latched onto a breast - one of Emma’s favorite erogenous zones. Over the years he’d committed to memory the erotic noises she made when he teased and laved her nipples.

Emma laced her fingers into his hair, holding him to her breast, loving the way he feasted on her pebbled flesh. “Well, I guess I’m not most women, because I love sucking your cock. Making you come down my throat as you call out my name and your cock spasms against my lips, fuck,” she panted as she ground her core against where his hand still rubbed her.

Killian swallowed hard as she waxed poetic on giving him head. Grasping his straining cock and stroking languidly for just a second of relief, he beseeched his wife, “Emma, I need you, love.”

Scooting up the long chair, Emma removed her panties before laying back and letting her legs dangle over each side of the chair so she was spread wide for Killian. “Then have me.”

He sprung to action, stripping off his clothes and then engulfing her body with his. Laying claim to her mouth, he nestled his cock between her folds and glided back and forth. The warmth that coated him as he teased her clit with the head of his cock was almost enough to have him coming, but he found some semblance of control as he worked her closer to the edge.

Placing a hand on Killian’s chest, Emma pushed him back a little, she situated her legs against his shoulders, then reached down between their bodies and lined him up.

The heat of her core beckoned him the instant his tip nudged her entrance. Wrapping a hand around each of her ankles he sunk into her depths, moaning at the sensation of finally being enveloped. He had to fight to keep upright, the feeling so overwhelming he wanted to slouch against her and just rut to a quick completion. Breathing in deeply, he focused on only Emma and bringing her pleasure.

“Oh, yeah,” she sighed when he finally slid into her and began thrusting in and out. The sound of skin meeting skin as he plunged into her wetness echoed through the powder room. Emma’s legs were being stretched, burning deliciously as they rested on his shoulders and he leaned into her seeking the deepest of thrusts.    

Killian looked into her eyes, deep green and blown wide, willing her to fall apart so he could let go. Her mouth hung open and small puffs of air escaped in time with his movements. Her cheeks were bright pink with the exertion and her hands played with her breasts, she was gorgeous all the time, but he loved watching her draw to the edge as they connected on this level.  When he felt like he actually might explode, finally he heard his his angel’s voice, breathy with gratification.

“Oh fuck,” she breathed out on a long moan. “So good, Killian, so good.”

Her fresh wave of arousal rushed over him warmly and her walls pulsed around his cock, evoking his climax. His stomach tightened and every muscle in his body went rigid as he spilled his release deep into her.

Body weak with pleasure, Emma threw her forearm over her face as she smiled into her arm, euphoria stealing over her. “God, I’ve needed this all day, so fucking good babe.” She let her legs slide from Killian’s shoulders so she was laying spread wide.      

“Allow me to clean you darling?” He cocked that hyper eyebrow of his and delved between her thighs.

Emma tightened her arm over her face, particularly her mouth as she whimpered when his warm hot tongue met her sensitive flesh.

“Knock, knock,” came a loud voice, followed by a few raps of knuckles against the door.

Emma and Killian both jumped a mile high, apparently forgetting they weren’t in the privacy of their own home. “Shit!” Emma cursed.

“Eh, just a minute, Ruby. I’ll be finished shortly,” Killian called. “To be continued,” he whispered to his wife, giving one final swipe of his tongue through her folds.

“No rush, no rush. As long as she’s finished, Jones, it’s not proper to leave a lady wanting. Emma, if he leaves you high and dry, you let me know.”  

“How about I let Graham know?” Killian shot back, wondering what the deputy would think about his wife propositioning Emma.

Emma smacked his chest as they righted themselves on the chaise. “You know she loves fucking with you more when you give her the reaction she wants.”  

“Oh, he’ll be so happy you asked, Killian!” Ruby laughed through the door.  

Before he could clarify what he meant, Emma leaned forward and kissed him. “Let her have her fun,” she told Killian so only he could hear. “Don’t worry Rubes, Killian knows how to give it to me just how I like it.”

“Ooooh, hot damn!” Ruby laughed. “You two just make sure to clean up any mess, then get your asses downstairs. David is wondering where his sister is, and Liam is trying to bet him that you’re up here doing exactly what you’re doing.”

Killian rolled his eyes. He and Liam didn’t have a sister, so it was impossible for Liam to know what kind of hornet’s nest he was stirring. They got ready in short order and headed down the stairs hand in hand, if they thought they didn’t look thoroughly fucked, they were mistaken.

Most everyone was still carrying on and partying. David however was glaring daggers between Liam and Killian.

“Bloody hell.”

“Come on, David will get over it.” Emma pulled Killian forward with a serene grin on her face.

Mary Margaret was attempting to reason with her husband as they greeted the group at the bottom of the stairs. “She’s an adult, David.”

David’s expression lightened infinitesimally. “They could’ve waited till they got home.”

“We are right here,” Emma cut in, feeling a bit feisty.

“You could have waited till you got home,” David directed at her.

“I didn’t want to,” Emma sassed. “Sometimes needs must be met,” David’s face contorted into that of a man hearing too much information, “and we were already interrupted by one brother this morning, and a fucking alarm system this afternoon. So forgive me if I needed a little instant gratification.”

“Little?” Killian questioned. David definitely shot him the evil eye.

“A lot,” Emma smirked, leaning in to kiss him. “Huge gratification,” she added, playing it up for her brother’s reaction.

Elsa, Liam, Graham, and Ruby burst into laughter at the look on David’s face, while David himself shuddered and looked to his wife for support.

“Hey, you asked for it the moment you tried to lecture a married adult about sex,” Mary Margaret chuckled.

“Someone get me a shot!” David called out as he walked away from the bunch. They continued cracking up even after he’d gone in search of alcohol.

“You are going to be in trouble tonight,” Emma told Mary Margaret.

“Nothing a little physical activity won’t alleviate,” her sister-in-law replied, waggling her eyebrows.  

The party got smaller and smaller until it was just the close knit group of them visiting. Emma tried, but failed to stifle a yawn as everyone chit chatted.

“Tired again, sleepyhead?” Killian whispered.

“I guess you wore me out,” she giggled quietly. “Take me home?”

⛄️ ❄️ ⛄️

Emma tickled Killian’s belly, his most ticklish spot, as he slept, eliciting a grunt of dissatisfaction from him, and then quickly turned over and pretended to sleep.

Last night had been a blast. After saying Merry Christmas and good night to everyone the evening before, they’d driven home, showered - where they got down and dirty one more time before getting clean - and then hit the sack. Emma was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

She felt as though she must have caught up on sleep as she was wide awake this morning. That and she was crazy excited to give Killian his Christmas present. She huffed out a sigh as she heard her husband’s breathing even out again. Rolling over, she gently tickled him again, but this time he captured her wrist before she could pretend to sleep again.  

“Is someone excited for Christmas morning?” he asked in his gravelly morning voice. Her joyous laughter was answer enough. “One day our children will be tickling us awake bright and early Christmas morning and I don’t want to hear any complaining from you, love.”

Emma’s smile was brilliant and her eyes a little glassy as she pictured it. “Come on!” She pulled Killian by the hand, almost dragging him out of their bed. She threw on her big fluffy robe and practically skipped to the basin to brush her teeth.

“How much coffee have you had?” He rose from bed and stretched before throwing on his flannel pajamas - she had the temperature set to arctic chill again. Joining her to brush his teeth, he watched as his wife exuberantly went through her morning routine. “Let’s remedy that, I’ll start the coffee, you turn up the furnace.”

No sooner had Killian filled the coffee pot than Emma was at his back, arms wrapped around his midsection. “Heater is on. Presents!”

“Don’t you want coffee?”

“Later,” she whined pulling on him.

Killian turned in her arms and was smitten by the joy on her face and the excitement dancing in her eyes. He wasn’t sure what she had in store for him, but his curiosity was now officially piqued. He kissed her gently. “All right, coffee later. Presents now.”

“You first!” Emma demanded. Pushing him onto the sofa, she handed him an envelope and practically bounced on her toes as she waited for him to open it. Her hands were clasped together and she was biting her lip in anticipation.

He considered drawing it out to get a rise out of his wife, but her excitement must’ve been contagious because he decided to skip teasing her in favor of finding out what was in the envelope. He opened the flap, careful not to rip any of the contents, and pulled out the card. Killian read the front cover aloud:

“The best gifts don’t come under a tree…” He opened the card and finished reading, “You, me, and Baby Jones will make three,” before he even noticed the grainy black and white image framed on the other side.

Emma watched as her husband studied the ultrasound photo and different emotions crossed his beautiful face. His eyes had gone from normal, to bugged out - is it happening too fast for him? she worried - to glassy - are those happy tears or sad tears? she panicked - to crinkled at the corners as a brilliant smile took over his face.

A sigh of relief flew from her mouth as she witnessed her husband having the same reaction she had when she’d taken her first pregnancy test two weeks ago. They hadn’t necessarily been trying, but they’d decided to forego preventative measures a couple months ago.

“We’re going to be parents,” he murmured. His fingers traced over the image of their baby as realizations dawned on him. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a cup of coffee, between that and the baby, no wonder she’d been so tired lately. And this was why she knew she wouldn’t be drunk last night, and why she’d egged her brother on feistily. He stood up and pulled her tightly to his chest, hugging her as if she might disappear. “Emma,” he whispered as he became utterly overwhelmed with emotion.

And then Emma was crying as her husband was brought to tears by the announcement of their baby. Grabbing one of his hands, Emma placed it over her belly, and covered it with hers. “We love you, Killian.”

He kissed his wife soundly. “And I love you.” Kneeling down, Killian whispered, “And you as well, little love,” before placing a kiss to her belly.

End

[searchingwardrobes]

Underneath the Tree

Surprise @killiancygnus! I’m your @cssecretsanta2k18! You said you love fluff, modern aus, especially friends to lovers, and I may also have stalked your tumblr a little and discovered that you would also love to just see CS cozy in front of the fire. This fic has all of that. I also decided after you told me you had never had a real tree before that I had to give you one in fic form. I have had a real Christmas tree every year of my life, so I can honestly inform you that getting one is neither as easy or romantic as portrayed in Hallmark movies, which was the perfect way to get some humor in this thing. And what better way to get CS cozy in front of the fire than to have them get caught in the rain? I hope you enjoy this story as much as I have enjoyed getting to know you, Francesca! Merry Christmas 🎄

Summary: Emma Swan has never had a real Christmas tree before, and her best friend Killian Jones is determined to give her one. A real live tree from a quaint tree lot like in a Hallmark movie. Even if it’s pouring down rain . . .

Rating: M-ish because Fran says she likes, “kind of smutty, but not too smutty” which I totally get!

Title from the song of the same name by Kelly Clarkson, the lyrics of which are perfect for this friends to lovers story.

Can also be read on Ao3

She shook her head before heading to her bedroom to change. The first time he had tossed out the “L” word so casually, it had freaked her out. Now she knew how he meant it. The love of a best friend, that’s what they had. A comfortable one filled with no pretenses, casual affection, and innocent flirting. A rarity in Emma’s life for sure, but Killian Jones had proven too stubborn to go away when she got prickly or threw her walls up. Since she couldn’t get rid of him, she eventually accepted his unflagging loyalty and occasional burst of heartfelt sentiments.

It was Killian’s stubbornness that had them heading to a Christmas tree lot on a cold, rainy Brooklyn morning. She had mentioned that she had never owned a Christmas tree aside from the pitiful tabletop thing that resided in her apartment. It came with red baubles already attached to the plastic limbs. All she had to do every year was dust it and set it on the table. Killian, however, had insisted that just wouldn’t do. They were getting her a tree, and not only was it going to be a decent size, it was going to be real. They were going to a tree lot like in those montages on Hallmark Christmas movies.

“Will Rockin Around the Christmas Tree be playing in the background?” Emma had asked sarcastically.

“Maybe,” he had told her with a smirk.

So now Emma was shivering in the passenger’s seat of Killian’s pickup truck, peering past the windshield wipers at the giant, waving Santa welcoming visitors to “Santa’s Treeland.” Killian parked, then came around to open Emma’s door like the old-fashioned gentleman that he was. The rain had tapered off to a light misting, but it still increased the sharpness of the cold. Emma yanked her beanie down farther over her ears and shoved her hands inside the pockets of her parka. Killian wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his side, rubbing her arm up and down to warm her more. She had to admit, it helped.

Luckily, the trees were stored beneath an awning made of tarps. A sweet looking middle-aged man approached them as they neared the lot.

“Welcome to Santa’s Treeland!” he said as he handed them candy canes. “First Christmas together?” he asked with a wink.

Killian chuckled warmly, tugging Emma closer against him. “You could say that.” He winked down at her as they walked away, and she poked him in the ribs with her elbow. He just laughed more as he rubbed the sore spot.

The trees were organized by size: 4-5 feet, 6-7 feet, and then 8-9 feet. Emma gaped at the prices.

“Fifty bucks for a tree that’s shorter than me?”

Killian frowned at the tree she had tilted upright. “No way, Swan. Your apartment may be small, but I’m not letting you get a tree unless it’s taller than I am at least. And yes, that’s the price. They’re ten dollars a foot, cheapest in any of the burroughs.”

Emma folded her arms over her chest and shook her head. “Nope. I refuse to pay that much for a dead tree.”

He ignored her completely, hoisting a tree that was over six feet from the next stack over. “Well,” he said, eyeing the thing up and down, “good thing you’re not paying for it.”

Emma blinked rapidly. “Y-you can’t do that!”

He sighed and gave her a tender smile. “Yes, I can, and I will. Now, what do you think of this one?”

Emma, always uncomfortable about receiving generosity, shifted from one foot to the other. She contemplated arguing with him, telling him she didn’t need his charity. If this were Mary Margaret or David, she would have. But with Killian, she knew it wasn’t like that. His upbringing had been similar to her own, and he would never direct pity her way for it.

She tilted her head, chewing on her lower lip. What was she even supposed to be looking for? “It’s okay I guess?”

Killian chuckled. “Is it full enough?” He started turning it slowly. “Or does it have gaps? And the shape, is it close to a triangle or is it too thin or too squat?”

His questions helped as he continued to spin it. Emma frowned. “Now that you mention it, one side looks like it’s missing some branches.”

He nodded, then shoved the tree back with the others. “Then we keep looking.”

They looked at four more until they finally found one just at six feet that was perfect. Unfortunately, while they had been looking the rain had increased. Killian dashed through the rain to where he parked the truck, and by the time he got back his dark hair was plastered to his forehead and rain dripped off his coat. An employee helped him slide the tree into the back of his truck, and Killian quickly covered it with a tarp. Even Emma got slightly drenched just dashing to the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Killian gave his head a shake while Emma squeezed out her damp hair, and they both laughed even as their teeth chattered.

The rain didn’t let up as they drove home. Emma wondered at the wisdom of dragging a wet tree into her apartment, but Killian didn’t seem at all concerned as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, humming “Oh, Christmas Tree.” When she hesitantly voiced her concern, he just smiled at her.

“I covered it with a tarp, so it won’t be too wet,” he assured her, “and we’ll let it dry before we decorate it.”

His festive mood finally had her relaxing, and she actually found herself tapping out the rhythm on the door handle when he switched to humming “Winter Wonderland.” He parked in front of her building, and Emma realized there was no way she wasn’t getting soaked now. He couldn’t get the tree out of her trunk and up to her apartment by himself. Just as she suspected, by the time they had the thing leaning against the door of her second-floor apartment, her wet clothes clung to her skin and her shoes left puddles in their wake. But somehow, Killian was still smiling.

“Where’s that tree stand I got you?” he asked, shaking the rain out of his hair.

“I set it up right in front of the window like you said, with an old sheet under it.”

Killian rubbed at his jaw as he righted the tree. Then he started to shake it, sending drops of water flying all over the place.

“Ugh!” Emma protested, lifting her hands in front of her face to block the onslaught. “I think we should let it dry out here before we take it inside.”

“We can’t do that, we have to get it in the stand and water it right away, or it will dry out. They drink gallons of water when you first get them home.”

“What are you, a Christmas tree expert?” Emma laughed.

“Well, Liam got me a few trees when I was a teenager,” Killian said as tilted the top of the tree Emma’s way. She grasped the slender half as he hoisted the trunk. “And then there’s Google.”

They both grunted as they maneuvered the thing through Emma’s door. She wanted to ask if he’d had a tree since Liam passed, but she didn’t have the heart to dampen his mood. Besides, she’d been to his place the last couple of Christmases and knew full well he had no tree. She wondered if this little outing was as much for him as it was for her. After all, Christmas traditions just weren’t the same when you were alone.

They tilted the tree so they could set the bottom of the trunk into the red metal stand. Killian’s smile – the one that had scarcely wavered all day – faded somewhat as he shoved the tree downward. His brow furrowed.

“What the -” he muttered. “You got a good hold on it?”

Emma tightened her grip and nodded, her frigid fingers getting poked by the tree’s needles. Killian let go of his end and got down on his hands and knees. All Emma could see was his ass sticking out from underneath the bottom branches. He swore under his breath as he struggled with something; the sound of clanging metal accompanying his curses. Yet all Emma could do was grin as she admired her current view of Killian in his tight jeans. Now that’s a gift any woman would like to see underneath her tree.

“It won’t go in.”

“Excuse me?” Emma startled, blushing furiously as Killian’s head popped back out from under the tree. His hair was disheveled, and his cheeks and elf shaped ears were bright red. Even though he was staring at the tree, and not her, she suddenly felt she had been caught at something.

“It’s too wide for the stupid stand,” Killian muttered gesturing at the tree.

“Oh,” Emma breathed out in relief.

Killian grabbed at a fistful of hair. “Surely we can fix this.” He stood up and eyed the tree critically. “Keep hold of it, Swan, I'll be right back.”

He dashed out of the apartment, and Emma stood there, feeling foolish as she continued to grip the tree. Her wet jeans were driving her mad, and the branches of the tree were poking their way up the sleeve of her parka. She adjusted her grip and groaned when she felt sticky sap coating her palms. What in the world was taking Killian so long?

Emma’s eyes widened when he returned with a huge pair of pruning shears. He squatted down by the tree again, and damn it, Emma couldn’t help where her eyes kept going. Something about the way his wet shirt was plastered to his skin, the way his slightly damp hair was curling at his nape, made her suddenly aware of how well built her best friend was. She really needed to get out of this wet parka because she was suddenly really hot.

“There’s a branch sticking out of the very bottom of the trunk, and I think if I trim it off, it’ll fit in the stand just fine.”

Emma tore her eyes away from his rear end to actually look where he was pointing. “Um, are you sure you want to do that?”

But he was already cutting at the base of the branch with the shears, and as it fell away . . . there went half the tree.

“Shit,” Killian grumbled, running his hand through his hair in frustration again. He really needed to quit doing that. It was making Emma’s fingers twitch.

“Hey,” she told him, “it’s no big deal. We’ll just put that side against the window. No one will be able to tell from the street.”

“I’m sorry, Emma,” he told her, frowning for the first time that day, “I ruined your tree.”

She shook her head. “No, you didn’t. Now can we get this thing in the stand already? I’ve got sap running down my arm.”

That got a chuckle out of him, and he bent down again to tighten the screws in the stand. Once it was steady, they both backed up to examine it.

“Is it just me,” Killian asked, ���or is it . . .”

“Leaning? Um, yeah.” Emma finally shed her parka, then stretched her arms. She grasped the tree again while Killian loosened the screws. Then he backed up to assess things.

“A little to the left . . . “ he instructed as Emma adjusted the tree, “a little to the right . . . There! Perfect! Don’t move!”

He dove back under the tree and tightened everything, then he and Emma stood back to admire their work. She smiled, and Killian put his arm around her. Maybe she was beginning to see the appeal of -

Then the tree seemed to lean to one side in slow motion before crashing to the floor.

“Shit,” Killian swore again.

“At least we didn’t water it yet.”

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

Killian’s swearing had taken on epic, sailor-like proportions. They finally realized, after many balancing attempts, that they had chosen a tree with a crooked trunk. No matter what they did, the damn thing ending up sideways on the floor. Now Killian had retrieved a tackle box from his truck and was wrapping the thing in fishing wire. He ran the line to the lock mechanism on her window, and now her tree was basically tied to her window so it wouldn’t fall down.

Emma looked at what they had spent the last half hour doing: there were tree branches and pine needles all over the floor, the tree still dripped rainwater from its branches, the back half of it was completely missing, and Killian’s tools and tackle were scattered over Emma’s kitchen table. Killian himself was shaking the tree to ensure that it was held securely by the fishing wire, and he was even more wet than he had been when they’d gotten home from his multiple trips back to his truck. Suddenly, the whole thing struck Emma, and she burst out laughing. At first, Killian seemed startled, and slightly indignant, but then a slightly sheepish grin overtook his face right before laughter spilled out of him as well. He shrugged his shoulders as he stepped away from the hopeless tree.

“Well, I promised you a real tree. I never said anything about quality.”

Emma’s laughter faded as another emotion overtook her. She looked him up and down as he stood there scrutinizing the tree, his arms crossed. Then he lifted one hand to rub at his jaw, his thumb brushing his lower lip. Emma swallowed as realization crashed over her.

“I love you,” she blurted out.

He turned to her tenderly. “Aye. I love you too, Emma.”

She shook her head in frustration, the look in his eyes clearly telling her he misunderstood. “No. I mean, yes, I love you. But I also love you.”

She puffed out a breath, irritated at her lack of eloquence, and a strand of hair fell across her eyes. Killian stepped forward, reached out, and tucked the strand behind her ear.

“What was that, Swan?”

He had a slight smirk on his face that made Emma want to smack him and take it back, but then she saw the slight widening of his eyes and the way they darted across her face. Insecurity. That was the emotion in his gaze.

She managed a tiny smile. “I just realized as I was standing here . . . all of this, how you’ve gone to all this trouble to give me a Christmas memory I’ve never had before, it’s just . . . “ She bit her lip and crossed her arms, then nervously uncrossed them again. Damn it, why wouldn’t her words make sense? “You’ve always been such a great friend to me, but somewhere, somehow . . . I’ve fallen in love with you.”

His eyes sparkled then as a wide grin filled his entire face. He surged forward, claiming her lips, his hands cupping her face. She melted into it as his thumbs caressed tiny circles on her cheeks. They both changed the angle to deepen the kiss, their lips parting for one another. One of his hands slipped from her cheek to her hair while the other one grasped her waist and yanked her close. Emma moaned as she slipped her arms around his neck. He pulled back, breathless, and pressed his forehead to hers.

“I have been in love with you for so long, Emma, it’s been sheer torture.”

“Then why didn’t you -” he cut her words off with another kiss, and every thought fled her brain. Not that she needed an answer. Prickly Emma Swan with her impenetrable walls? Of course he hadn’t thought he could tell her how he felt.

Their kisses were more frantic now, hungry and full of want. But everywhere Emma’s hands drifted was wet and cold. She pulled back and smiled when Killian chased her lips.

“I’m still wet,” she explained, and an involuntary shiver punctuated her point.

“And cold,” he added with a frown.

He rubbed her arms up and down, the warmth from his palms sending tingles down her spine that had little to do with his body temperature. When he let her go to start gathering up blankets that were tossed about her living room, a shudder of loss went through her. When he bent to light the fireplace, she pouted.

“I uh, guess I’ll go change,” she told him, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

“Don’t you dare.” The deep timbre of his voice made her stop in her tracks. When she pivoted back to face him, the smile he was giving her was filled with lustful promise. He quirked a brow as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. “I plan on warming you up thoroughly, trust me, love.”

She swallowed hard, but forced her voice to sound light and airy when she answered him. “Well you better hurry it up before I get hypothermia.”

He chuckled and quickly got the fire going. Then he stood and laid Emma’s fluffiest blanket out on the floor in front of the hearth, the one with the thick, plush lining. Then he grabbed an oversized quilt and walked – no sauntered, he was sauntering – towards her. He tossed the quilt down on the couch next to her, his eyes never leaving hers. Then he drew her close, kissing her passionately, sending heat skittering across her skin. He loosened his hold on her, yet didn’t break the kiss as he undid the buttons on her flannel shirt. Then he pushed the damp garment from her shoulders, sending it falling to the floor with a plop. It felt wonderful to no longer have the wet fabric clinging to her, but goosebumps rose up on her now bare skin. Killian, his lips still fused to hers, attempted to chase them away as he ran his hands down her arms and up her back. He quickly unclasped her bra, and removed it as well. His hand came around and cupped her breast, his thumb caressing her nipple. Emma moaned, her head tilting back as Killian finally pulled away from her lips. He trailed kisses along her neck, her collarbone, then lower as he sank to his knees. Emma whimpered, however, when he didn’t linger on her breasts, and he chuckled.

“Don’t tease me,” she admonished as she yanked on his hair.

He smirked up at her. “I make no promises.” Then he winked as he unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans. As wet as they were, she had to shimmy to help him slide them off. He grasped her hips and kissed her navel, then took the waistband of her panties in his teeth and slid them off too.

He wasn’t through teasing her, however. As soon as she was completely naked, he rose and grabbed the quilt. He wrapped it around her and brushed her lips with a chaste kiss.

“Better?”

Emma debated just dropping the quilt from her shoulders, but she was too curious about what else he had planned. His teasing was driving her insane, but it was also a huge turn on. Still, she couldn’t help kissing him roughly, dragging his lower lip between her teeth.

“A little,” she finally answered, “but is that the best you can do?”

She yelped when he suddenly scooped her up in his arms and then deposited her gently on the blanket in front of the fire. “Patience, love. I’ve waited too long for this to rush it.”

Heat rose to her cheeks, and it wasn’t from the fire. She tilted her head up at him. “Can I make one request?”

“Anything.”

“I think you’re overdressed.”

He clearly understood her meaning as a smile lit up his face and he quickly began undoing his own buttons. Emma couldn’t help licking her lips as she watched his shirt fall away, that chest hair that always teased at the top of his shirts on full display. Then he peeled his own tight jeans off, then his boxer briefs, and his arousal for her was on clear display. Her heart beat faster in her chest at the sheer masculinity displayed before her. God, he was a beautiful man! How had she kept him so firmly in the friend zone all these years?

She said nothing, merely opened the large quilt for him to come and join her. They lay down before the fire, wrapped up together in the warmth. As he caressed her and kissed her deeply, Emma had never felt so content and full of want at the same time.

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

Emma blinked her eyes open, the only sound in the room the crackling of the fireplace. Killian’s arms were still wrapped around her. She glanced up to find that he had fallen asleep, too. She took the moment to run her hand along his arm, feeling the strong muscle beneath her palm, then to drag her fingers gently through his chest hair. They were both still naked, but they hadn’t yet made love. They had pleasured one another in other ways – Killian hadn’t been kidding when he said he wanted to take his time – and then in the drowsiness and warmth had drifted off. Emma rolled over to prop herself up on Killian’s chest.

“Babe,” she whispered, tracing his jaw gently with her fingertips. His eyes blinked open and he smiled drowsily at her. “We fell asleep.”

“Aye,” was all he said. Then he tilted his head up to look at her wonky tree. “I suppose it’s dry by now,”

Emma scratched lazily at his chest hair, giving him a coy grin. She shifted higher, the feel of her bare breasts against his chest hair sending a buzz right down to her core. She thought to say something flirtatious, but when her eyes met his, she couldn’t string words together. So instead she kissed him. Lazily at first, and then with aggression. She could feel his body responding beneath her. His hands drifted down her back, then grasped her hips. Words failed him, too. He rolled her over, and that conveyed everything.

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

An hour later, they lay sated and content on their backs amongst the piles of blanket, looking up into the boughs of the Christmas tree. Killian’s fingers traced lazy patterns on her shoulder. Emma breathed in deeply, a gesture of contentment, and the smell of pine filled her senses.

“You know,” she said softly, “you were right. A live Christmas tree is really beautiful.”

Emma enjoyed the feel of his responding chuckle against her cheek. “We haven’t even put the lights on it yet.”

She rolled over to cup his cheek, her thumb tracing the scar beneath his right eye. “Why don’t you come back tomorrow night, and we’ll decorate it then?”

He smiled as he threaded his fingers through her hair. “Alright, love, I’ll be here tomorrow night.” Then he pulled her down for a kiss that curled her toes.

Killian came the next night to help her decorate the tree. Even with the back half missing, the crooked trunk, and the fishing wire hooking it to the window, it was beautiful once it was lit up and covered in tinsel and baubles. When the lights were all out except for the Christmas lights, Emma loved to admire it from the sofa across the room, her feet tucked under her and a mug of cocoa in her hands. But her favorite view of the tree was from underneath, with piles of blankets, and all wrapped up in Killian’s arms.

[ao3feed-captainswan]

Getting in the Spirit

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2SlL2US

by xhookswenchx (ReluctantPrincess)

Neither Emma nor Killian are big on the holidays. Maybe it’s just that they’re not that into it, or maybe, they’ve just never had much of a reason to celebrate. Either way, when Killian’s apartment has some technical difficulties shortly before Christmas, Emma offers up her couch to her sometimes friend/sometimes annoyance of a neighbor.

(Mostly G because it’s fluffy, maybe T in the next two parts because fluff and some innuendos.)

Words: 1035, Chapters: 1/3, Language: English

Fandoms: Once Upon a Time (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Captain Hook | Killian Jones, Emma Swan, Prince Charming | David Nolan, Snow White | Mary Margaret Blanchard

Relationships: Captain Hook | Killian Jones/Emma Swan, Prince Charming | David Nolan/Snow White | Mary Margaret Blanchard

Additional Tags: Christmas, csss2k18, Modern AU, AU

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2SlL2US

[hookedonapirate]

Hello love! So for Christmas traditions, I do love to bake christmas cookies, but I have two favourite traditions. First, there's a holiday market in NYC that I absolutely love going to. It's one of my favourite things about christmas, and I just love the city at christmas time. It's so pretty and festive and the weather is perfect. I think this will be the first year I won't be able to go, which makes me sad. I also always make pierogies from scratch for my grandpa as a christmas present... 1/?

I always grumble about how long it takes and how much work it is to make enough for my whole family, but the truth is that I love doing it. But other than that, a lot of our traditions have sort of lapsed over the years as my sister and I got older and moved away from home. Christmas grinch is a fun trope to write! Do you have any thoughts about who would be less into christmas? I'm still not sure what I want to write for you. Is there anything you really want to read but cant find? - 2/2 ❓🎅🏼I have never been to NYC and I would never want to live there but I've always wanted to visit. I'm sorry you won't be able to go this year. Where are you from? And can I ask what are pierogies? I think the same goes for my family - the older my 2 brothers and I become, the more the traditions taper off. Plus they are each married and live at least three hours away from our parents so it's more difficult for all of us to get together.I would imagine Emma being the grinch of the two, but I always like to see things reversed when Killian usually has a particular role and Emma has another. Like Emma's normally the most reluctant to start a relationship or more likely to run, and Killian’s normally the one to put his heart on his sleeve or is the one chasing Emma, so I think it's refreshing to see the tables turned. Hmmm I really can't think of anything particular I would like to read. Some things I like are neighbors AUs, bed sharing, enemies to lovers, best friends to lovers, co-workers. I’m a total sucker for awkward first meetings, I like to read smut but it's not a necessity, I like fluff and a little angst. Some things I’m not really a fan of is whump or fics where either Killian or Emma are in other relationships. Sorry if that doesn't help much but hopefully it gives you some ideas. Hope you have a wonderful Friday!

[distant-rose]

CSSS2K18

Ahahahahahaha nice true, asshole. Not happening. 

ask me about one of my WIPs title and I’ll post a little snippet

[ilovemesomekillianjones]

This was a wonderful, emotional, Christmas story. So many lovely elements, my favorite being a Scrooge brought back into the spirit. My favorite line was, “Their laughter fills in all the cracks and warms his heart...” - it encompasses how the impression of both Emma and Henry made him feel. Long one shots are so perfect, a whole tale in a sitting, with plot, fluff, backstories, smut, and a glimpse of the future. Love, love, love!!!

CS ff: “A Toast to Now” (Part 2) (au)

Summary: His neighbors may be brightening their own holidays, but they’re ruining the constant melancholy of his life. He’s determined to keep to himself until the single mother that lives next door to him drops literally through his door two nights before Christmas. It’s the moment that may be temporary, like everything else, but it may just change everything.

Rating: E (sorry not sorry)

Warnings: Just smut for this part. Not exactly anti-Neal but also not pro-Neal. 

A/N: Hoooooly crap it’s finally done! This is way longer than I anticipated it would be, and I thought about splitting it into more sections and posting for a couple days, but the whole thing is just over 13k so why the hell not just post the remaining 11k. This is, of course, the “second part” to @effulgentcolors secret santa gift for 2018. I’m so glad I got you, that I could take a little more time and make it something I’m really proud of writing for you, and using all the things you like to hopefully make one hell of a gift. I hope you enjoy it, dear. And I hope all of you reading enjoy. Now to get back to work on my second CSJJ! Thanks one more time to @cssecretsanta2k18 for rocking this event and staying on top of everything! 

Read Part 1 Here! 

Posted as one part to FFN & Ao3 if you’d prefer to read it there!

-x-

Emma wakes in the morning to her phone ringing, a headache, and the reminder that she did not get to spend the night in her own apartment. With groggy morning brain, she rolls from the couch, trying to locate her phone and finding it plugged into a charger that’s definitely not hers, nor did she plug it in. Killian Jones, it seems, is one of the most considerate people she’s ever met, and she’s now madder than ever that she was so drunk last night and couldn’t even enjoy their meeting to the fullest extent.

The third ring of her phone has her scrambling for it, and she greets Marco as cheerfully and as quietly as she can. She already interrupted Killian’s night; she doesn’t want to interrupt his sleep, as well. She agrees to meet the landlord at the door and hangs up, quietly gathering her clothes and phone and bag and creeping out the door. She hopes she can get into her apartment and change before her neighbor wakes up, intent on sneaking back in after she’s had a chance to change and make some coffee for the both of them. It’s the least she can do.

As soon as Marco unlocks the door, Emma thanks him and hurries in, throwing items where they need to go while rushing for the coffee maker. While it heats up and brews, she changes into her own clothes, folding Killian’s carefully and putting them off to the side to return to him.

After she’s washed up – teeth brushed, hair untangled and braided, face quickly washed free of any makeup she still had left – she heads back to her kitchen. It takes her a second to realize she’s looking straight at her keys on her counter, not so lost after all, and she groans as she stuffs them in the pocket not occupied by her phone before she pours a couple mugs of coffee and secures lids on each of them.

Maybe she just won’t tell him that they were here all along, or maybe he’ll find the humor in it like she eventually will. But eventually, because it’s certainly not so funny right this moment. Slipping on a pair of flats to walk down the hall, Emma checks her appearance in a small mirror by the entrance and balances the mugs to open and shut the door behind her.

She’s always wondered what her next door neighbor was like. Henry was always going on and on about what a cool guy Mr. Jones was, and he was one of three people in the whole complex she was comfortable with her son talking to, just because of word of mouth. She knew he was quiet and kept to himself, but in the years he has lived here beyond their length of renting, he’s known to everyone as a gentle presence. She doesn’t even know how old he is, but he’s definitely not the old man everyone claimed “Jones” to be.

A puzzle to be put together with more than rumors, if she has anything to say about it.

Keep reading

[justbecauseyoubelievesomething]

Chapter 2!!!

A very belated Chapter 2 of my CS Secret Santa fic for the lovely @owlways-and-forever! As she and a few other people on here know, my lovely baby girl decided to be born the day after Christmas so I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus as I’ve adjusted to having a newborn around the house! So a big shout out to her for her never ending patience!

Without further ado, I present chapter 2 of A Rose E’er Blooming!

Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 on Ao3.

The test stared up at her like a snake ready to strike. A poisonous death sentence.

Emma groaned and gripped her hair, trying not to let her thoughts spin out of control. She delicately lifted the little white stick and lined it up next to the two others on her sink. Three pink plus signs in a row. That sounded like a lyric from some sort of children's song.

“Mom!” Henry was just outside the door. “I really need to use the bathroom!”

“Just a minute!” Emma yelled.

Right. She already had one kid and she needed to keep it together long enough to get him to school. If she could get the pounding in her temples to stop long enough to drive.

Emma swept up all three tests and shoved them in her sweatshirt pocket before taking a deep breath and opening the door to reveal her frantic son.

“Thank goodness,” he yelled as he shoved her out of the way and slammed the door.

Emma sighed and wandered into the kitchen, feeling a million miles away from her body. Her mug of coffee sat under the Keurig spout untouched. She wasn't sure if it had been the smell of Henry's scrambled eggs, the dark scent of coffee, or a combination of the two that had sent her running for the toilet for the fourth time in the past four days. She ran her hand absently over the smooth sticks in her pocket and then over her flat abdomen. Her stomach turned again and she bit the inside of her cheek, willing herself not to vomit straight into the kitchen sink.

“Mom? Is everything okay?”

Henry was at her side, hand hovering under her elbow as if he could somehow keep her from falling despite his small frame.

Emma managed to give him a thin smile. “I'm just still fighting this stomach flu. Go on and hop in the car, I'll be down in a minute.”

Henry raised his eyebrow at her skeptically.

“Henry, I'm serious. You can't be late for school,” Emma groaned. “Your mom would kill us both.”

That got a small smile out of him, but as he stepped away to pick up his backpack, he kept watching her.

Emma slowly struggled to slip her shoes on. Every movement threatened to overwhelm her with dizziness and the knot in her stomach only tightened as she reached for her keys. She choked and slapped her hand over her mouth, desperately trying to hold back her heaves.

“Mom!”

The world was spinning and Henry was the only thing keeping her somewhat upright as they moved down the hallway at a snail's pace. He got her back to the bathroom and finally she was at  the toilet and able to release everything. Her stomach twisted violently trying to upchuck nonexistent food. She hacked over the toilet for a few minutes before she finally felt the spasm begin to subside. She spat in frustration, trying to clear her throat and mouth and then sat back on her heels with a groan.

“Henry, call Regina,” she said. “She's going to have to come pick you up.”

“Okay, mom,” Henry said shakily.

“Hey,” Emma caught his arm as he turned to leave. “I'm okay, I promise. I'm sorry I scared you.”

Henry nodded but his eyes still flashed with fear as he ran out to the kitchen to grab Emma's phone.

Emma leaned her head back against the cool wall and closed her eyes. This baby was making life difficult already.

This baby. She moved her hand up to her stomach again. It was real. She hadn't even thought about having another kid. Hunting down Henry after ten years of not knowing how to be a mom... that had been more than enough on her plate. But now...

And then there was the matter of Killian Jones. The only person she'd been with in the past year or so. The flirty, shadowy criminal informant who had slipped through her walls and let her feel something for the first time in a long while.

Now she was feeling something quite a bit different.

She leaned back over the toilet as another wave of dry heaves wracked her body. Emma Swan was well and truly in a mess.

“How far along?” Belle whispered.

Emma groaned and leaned her head down between her elbows as Graham rubbed her back.

“Six or seven weeks I think.”

Belle sat up a little straighter, blinking at her friend. “Killian?”

Emma groaned again and Graham frowned at Belle.

“Hey, Em it's going to be okay. We're all going to be here to help.”

“I don't know how to explain this to Henry,” Emma said faintly. After a few days of perpetual vomiting, she wouldn't be surprised if he figured it out on his own, but that would almost be worse. At least today she'd been able to make her way outside for a bit. The fresh air helped a little. Somehow she'd found herself at the station, desperate for some sense of normalcy.

Belle took a deep breath and nodded at Graham and Al. “We're going to help you, Emma. But I think you should decide if you want to tell Killian or not.”

Emma glared up at her friend. “I hardly think Jones is fit to be a good father. I know he's your friend Belle, but we didn't exactly hit it off.”

Graham bit his lip and Emma could tell he was holding back a joke. “You'll keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you, Graham,” she gritted.

“I'm not saying anything.”

Emma sighed and looked back at Belle. “I know he's been trying to convince you to let him talk to me.”

The way Belle bit her lip was all the telling Emma needed. She shook her head a few times. “I'm sorry, Belle. I just... after everything with Neal and Henry I just...”

“I know.” Belle grabbed Emma's hand and squeezed it warmly. “I won't say anything to Killian. But the rest of us... we're here. No matter what.”

The wind was even more stark at the harbor. Al wrapped his arms around himself and bounced lightly on his toes. Emma huddled deep in her thick red scarf as she chewed slowly on a ginger gummy, a nausea cure courtesy of Belle's research over the last week. Emma was beyond grateful for the solution, even if it only worked in unpredictable bursts. Right now the combination of her normal job adrenaline, the salt-tinged air, and the ginger seeping down her throat was enough to keep her grounded.

Al shuddered again. “I hate winter here. Makes me want to move back to Saudi.”

Emma gave him a sympathetic smile. “Still not used to it after all this time, huh?”

Al shook his head violently. “Never. I'd take sand and sun over this any day.” He grinned ruefully at her. “If it wasn't for the whole wanted fugitive thing over there.”

Emma scoffed. “Oh yeah, that little detail.” She gave him a friendly nudge with her shoulder and he broke out into a genuine smile.

“Do you really miss it?” Emma asked softly, staring back out at the grey waves.

Al closed his eyes and nodded. “I miss the people most of all. I think that's always what leaves the biggest hole. Not even my family but just having people who understood traditions and culture without me having to give an in-depth explanation for everything. You know?”

Emma tried to imagine having people around her who would truly understand her. She once thought she had that understanding with Neal, but that had come to nothing but betrayal in the end. Al, Graham, and Belle came close and now she had Henry and Regina was becoming a friend as well, but to have someone who just got her without even trying....

“I guess I don't really know,” she finally answered. “But it sounds nice.”

Al reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “You'll find your people someday too, Em. I know it.”

She gave him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, but out of the corner of her gaze she noticed two people moving towards them from the docks.

“There, Al.”

Both of them tensed up a little, going into automatic work mode. This particular case of Graham's and Al's involved some sort of extremely expensive contraband being shipped in today. It had also ended up crossing with Emma's latest skip, whose apartment had been full of particularly incriminating papers pointing to this exact delivery. After the three consulted, they reluctantly decided to send Emma with Al when he went to check with one of his contacts on the shipment.

“Remember, Em,” Al whispered, “let me do the talking. At least at first.”

Emma huffed a breath of annoyance but nodded.

“Boston P.D!” Al called out cautiously holding up his badge.

The two figures hesitated and leaned closer to one another as if consulting briefly before walking the rest of the distance to Emma and Al.

“We've got your bloody information, mate! No need to be so tense!”

Emma's eyes widened in distress but before she could move the informants were there and she was looking into the eyes of a man she'd tried her best to place securely behind her.

“Jones?”

“Swan.” She caught the mirrored widening of his own eyes as he flicked his heavy hood off his head. He immediately rounded on Al.

“Why is there a civilian here?” he demanded. “I told the police that this needed to be high security!”

Emma felt the blood rush to her temples. “Excuse me. I'm standing right here, asshole.”

Jones glared at her. “This is a sensitive transfer of information. If you think I'm going to risk the lives of my men because some hot-headed lass wanted to tag along on this expedition, then you must be daft!”

“That's rich coming from a liar and a thief!” Emma snapped.

“At least among thieves there is honor!” Jones growled, curling his fist.

“Both of you back down,” Al said sharply, stepping between the pair. Emma hadn't even noticed how close they'd drawn together, the heat of her anger pulling her towards Jones automatically. Jones pressed his lips together in a tight line and stepped back slowly.

“Emma is here under police protection,” Al said. “Whatever information you have to share can be shared in front of her.”

Jones sighed. “Fine. As long as this won't endanger the safety of the contraband.”

“Don't worry, I'm not one of your crack-head workers, Jones,” Emma shot testily.

The man leered at her, the tip of his tongue darting out to wet his lips for a brief second and Emma cursed herself for the feelings that awakened.

“This isn't about drugs, love,” Jones said. He turned to his companion who still hadn't pulled down their own insulated hood. “This shipment was something much more... valuable.”

Al and Emma exchanged confused looks as Jones's companion leaned close to the man.

“It's alright, love,” Jones said in a much gentler tone.

The other figure nodded slowly and then pulled down the hood revealing a young wide-eyed woman, black hair tied back neatly in a thick braid.

“My name is... Jasmine,” she stuttered, a hint of an accent spicing her words. “And... I'm the contraband.”

Emma's jaw dropped for a few seconds and she was sure Al's did as well.

“Sex trafficking?” Al finally spat out. He sounded as angry and confused as Emma felt.

“Aye.” To his credit, Jones sounded even angrier than Al and it took only one look at his face for Emma to see that he wasn't faking. “And this lass was specially sought out by the slimy bastard.”

This time the churning in Emma's stomach wasn't morning sickness. The young woman couldn't have been older than twenty-one or two. She was shivering now, snowflakes catching in her shiny hair, as her gaze darted fearfully up and down the street.

“Can you protect her?” Jones pressed, focusing his fiery blue gaze on Al.

Emma's friend nodded, still seemingly stunned by the unexpected information. He offered the young woman his arm. “Come on, let's get you back to the station,” he said softly. “You'll be safe there.”

“Thank you,” Jasmine whispered shakily. Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears but she bravely fastened her hood back on and turned to exchange a few quiet words with Jones. Whatever she said made his face soften and a smile cross his lips for a fleeting moment.

“You should come back with us too, Jones,” Al said. “We need all the info we can get on this bastard.”

Jones's eyes flicked to Emma and then back to Al. “You know I never go in,” he said lightly.

Al sighed. “Even for something as big as this?”

Jones glanced at Emma again. “I might be... persuaded...”

Emma groaned. “Let us talk for a minute, Al?”

Her friend gave her a concerned look, but she brushed him aside and he reluctantly started guiding Jasmine back towards their police cruiser.

Emma crossed her arms and stared Jones down.

“Alright, what's it going to take for your full cooperation?” she asked. “Another date? A kiss?”

“Why, Swan? You wound me!” Jones sneered. “You think I would bargain for your feelings like that?”

Emma snarled. “Well, you definitely wanted something from me! So what is it?”

To her surprise, Jones had the decency to look away with something akin to shame in his eyes. “I just wanted to talk, Swan,” he said softly. “That's all.”

“I know your type, Jones,” Emma sighed. She dropped her arms wearily. “Just talking always turns into something more.”

“Then you really don't know me as well as I'd hoped,” Jones snapped. Then he sighed again, shoulders drooping slightly. “I promise, Emma, I would never press you for more than you've given me. But you are far more than a conquest in the night, love. If nothing else I had hoped we could start over. Be friends.”

For the second time in mere minutes, Emma felt her jaw drop slightly. Nothing about this man was expected and she hated it as much as she felt it warm her heart. And really it didn't matter what he wanted because as the slowly growing nausea in her belly reminded her, things were already far too complicated for this “just friends” nonsense. But there was something about the way he earnestly held out his hand and the way the corners of his eyes creased in worry that made her reach out and grasp his hand.

“Fine,” she found herself saying slowly. “I think we can try friends. Nothing complicated.”

His smile was brilliant. “Nothing complicated, love,” he repeated.

He let go of her hand and shoved his own into his pocket. “Now, shall we go join your officer friend? It's bloody cold out here!”

Emma chuckled a little even as she felt a lump form in her throat. “Did you set all this up just to talk to me?”

“No, on my honor, love,” Jones protested as they began walking. “I was truly surprised to see you here.”

Emma nodded once, recognizing the truth in his voice, but unsure of how to continue the conversation. A few seconds of awkward silence fell over the pair until Emma laughed uncertainly.

“So, what do you talk about with your friends, Jones?” she teased nervously.

Jones grinned at her. “For starters, you can call me Killian, love.”

“Killian.” The name rolled of her tongue easily, her stomach jumped in protest, and she hated herself a little more. This was definitely going to end badly.

[ilovemesomekillianjones]

Operation Holiday Makeover

Merry Christmas @delightfully-difficult-pirate !!! I hope you enjoy this little tale of a not so spirited Emma and her boys plight to bring her some holiday cheer. I tried to put in a few things we chitchatted about over the past month. It was fun getting to know you, shipmate. 

Huge shout out to @hookedonapirate for helping me with beta services up until Christmas Eve. Thank you, friend! Thanks @cssecretsanta2k18 for putting together another fabulous holiday gift exchange.

Summary: Killian and Henry conspire to bring the joy of the holiday season to Emma after she confesses that she's never been particularly fond of Christmas.

ao3          ffnet          Rated E          9k+          cut line inserted, promise!

“What’s the matter, love?” Killian asked his wife as he spooned her for warmth early one December morning. He loved the quiet moments they shared, which had increased with the new peace that had fallen over Storybrooke.

Moments earlier, he’d woken up freezing and gotten up to adjust the thermostat; he was convinced Emma was trying to recreate the ice wall temperatures inside their home. As he’d padded quietly back to bed, he’d noticed the first snow of the season falling outside the bedroom window, and he’d had to wake her for it.

As they’d watched the powdery flakes fall in heavy drifts, they’d been discussing the upcoming holiday. Barring any unforeseen treachery, they’d actually get to celebrate the holidays.  Killian was curious as to where they would spend it, and who all would be involved. Just them, Henry, and her parents, or the extended family too? Gods forbid he have to share another holiday with the crocodile. However, when he’d broached the topic of this land’s traditions and customs, Emma had become quiet.

“Christmas just never meant that much to me,” she answered after a few moments. “I guess with being in a different home almost every year, it was just never special.”

“Aye, it wasn’t a big celebration for two orphaned boys aboard a ship of not so merry men, either.”

“It’s supposed to be a religious holiday, or it started as one before all the commercialization. But to me, it just seemed like a holiday to be with family and friends, and I didn’t have any of that.”

“But now you do. You have your son, your parents, me, maybe a wee one on the way someday soon,” he whispered the last part as he stretched his palm over her stomach. They had decided not to try to get pregnant, but to stop preventative measures against getting pregnant. They both figured it’d be any day now with the amount of time they’ve spent indulging in each other. “A full-blown family if ever I’ve heard of one, and more friends than you know what to do with.”

Emma’s heart ached just a little in her chest as she listened to his comforting words. She did have it all - great friends, a loving family, a doting husband and the prospect of a new life growing within her - so it was puzzling to her that she still felt that familiar tinge of melancholy. “You know what? You’re right, I think I need a holiday makeover.”

“A what?”

“A holiday makeover. I need a new outlook on the holiday season. You want to know about traditions and customs, and I have none. So let’s make our own.”

Emma turned over in his arms and looked at her husband with a childlike grin on her face. She cupped his face tenderly as the prospect of starting something new, with Killian by her side, and Henry and her family in tow, brought a huge holiday buzz to Emma’s heart.

Killian beamed back at her infectious smile and kissed the tip of her nose. “Amazing idea, Swan. What should we start with?”

“Well,” she said enthusiastically, “since it’s still dark outside, we should start by sleeping in. Not all of us willingly rise with the sun, pirate.”

Killian laughed heartily, he loved it now when she called him a pirate. With Emma, it no longer carried a negative connotation; it was more a loving endearment. “Aye, you get your sleep, love. I’ll tend to the Jolly.”

“But you’re so warm, don’t leave,” Emma whined.

“If you’d run the damn heat you wouldn’t need me for warmth,” he chided. “That’s why I’m up so bloody early, it was like an icebox in here. Besides, if I take care of her now, you won’t have to miss me later.” They’d planned to go out for a midmorning sail, but with the new snowfall that wasn’t going to happen.

“Just stay till I’m asleep?” she asked through a big yawn.

He knew he couldn’t deny her a thing, never could. “As you wish.”

Emma snuggled her naked body against his; they’d not bothered with clothes after making love late into the night. “Mmmm,” she hummed contentedly, “you’re like a big, fuzzy, furry blankey.”

“If you call me a furry blankey again I’m leaving,” he warned, though there wasn’t a trace of truth to his words as he snuggled around her more.

“Mm-mm, my blankey” she said playfully, before wandering off into sleep. Since she spent years with not always knowing where her next safe, comfortable place to sleep would be, Emma was out almost instantaneously when she had warmth and comfort.   

❄❤❄

“Wake up, lazy bones.”

Emma predictably whined and turned away from her husband’s voice. “Too early.”

Killian jumped on the bed, making it bounce Emma into wakefulness. He crowded her space and planted a kiss on her cheek. “The sun has long since risen, you’ve gotten to sleep in, and our presence is requested at Granny’s in one hour, by your son.”  

Emma snatched her phone from the nightstand to look at the time. “It’s not even eight in the morning. That is hardly sleeping in.” She tossed her phone on the nightstand and buried her head under her pillow.

“It’s 7:58 AM, and I was able to talk him into one hour. He wanted us there within the half hour, so how about you thank my negotiating skills instead of sleeping the day away?”

Emma swiftly wrapped herself around her husband’s frame and tackled him to his back. She held his hand and hook above his head, breasts swaying in his face as she straddled him and peered down at him through narrowed eyes. “Someone’s a little daring this morning, messing with me before my morning fix.”

“The coffee is already brewing, my love.”   

Emma softly rubbed her bare core against where she was straddling him and smiled deviously. She bit his lower lip and sucked it into her mouth to soothe the sting, and could feel him hardening through his jeans. “Maybe I didn’t mean that kind of fix? You did negotiate an hour for us, did you not?”

Killian craned his neck to chase his wife’s lips, despite having his arms pinned above his head. It was one of his favorite things when Emma woke up needy and feisty. “I did.”

“And what did you have in mind to fill that hour?” She continued to lazily roll her hips over his, relishing the way she could turn his soft flesh to steel in mere seconds. “Were you really thinking of letting me sleep longer as you bartered for more time, or were you thinking dirty, filthy thoughts? Tell the truth… pirate.”

Killian’s cock twitched when she uttered the last word. So, she wanted the pirate to come out and play? “Make me.”

Emma’s eyes widened with lust as he challenged her. With a magical wave of her hand, she secured Killian’s arms above his head so he couldn’t touch her, and his feet to the bedposts so he couldn't move. After standing up and breaking all physical contact, she poofed away all his clothes so he was lying helpless, naked and hard. She wanted nothing more than to jump him and fuck him until neither of them could see straight, but he’d set forth a challenge, and she would win.

Killian swallowed thickly as he realized he couldn’t move. Tied down… in the good way, he pondered, and he knew then Emma was going to tease him mercilessly until he admitted what they both knew was true. He smirked at Emma as she sauntered around the bed, before climbing up on her hands and knees, and settling at his side. She was close enough that he could feel the warmth of her skin, then she sat back on her haunches and spread her legs. Involuntarily he struggled against the magical restraint over his limbs when she bared her silky folds for his perusal.

Emma placed both hands under her breasts, feeling their weight before skimming her thumbs over her nipples. They immediately hardened under her touch sending a jolt of arousal to her core. “There’s no need to fight, I’ll let you free to do whatever that filthy mind of your wants, if only you admit that you begged more time from a child to have your wicked way with his mother.”

Killian inhaled deeply, a feeble attempt to control his lust, but all it did was flood his nostrils with her delectable scent. His eyes rolled back as they shut, and his hips bucked into the air, desperate to be buried, encompassed, touched, anything.

Emma cocked an eyebrow at him before sliding both hands down her body and resting them on her thighs. “Anything to say for yourself, pirate?”

Killian bit down on his lip, unwilling to give in so easily. Sure his cock ached painfully, but it was the right kind of pain. The kind of pain that would have him coming so hard Emma would feel his cum hitting her walls. “I’ve nothing to say to that end, lass. But you could come over here and sit on my face if you wish to see what else I can do with my mouth?”

“Wrong answer.” Emma moved her hands so one was spreading her lips and the other softly circled her clit. “Guess I’ll just have to make myself come. Too bad, I really did want to be fucked by a pirate.”

“It’s not too late,” Killian murmured huskily as he watched Emma’s fingers rhythmically massage her clit.

“Oh?” she asked ceasing her movement. “You’ll confess?”

“That’s not what I said, I said it’s not too late to be fucked by a pirate.”

“Mmmm, that wasn’t the deal.” Emma began again, and this time she placed two fingers at her entrance. Slowly she drove her fingers deep, watching as the man before her strained to be free of the restraints. His muscles twitched, and the line of his jaw clenched and unclenched as he fought between maintaining control and giving in. But his cock, the coup de grace, was so hard, veins straining against the silky skin, and his tip bright and glistening with precum. Before she realized it herself, she was hearing the sticky sounds of her arousal as she pumped her fingers faster.

A low humming emitted from deep in her chest, and Killian swore he was going to come without ever being touched. He watched avidly as his wife fucked her fingers, all while watching him. A sense of pride washed over him as a thought occurred to him. “I win.”

Emma ceased all movement when she heard his utterance. She glared at him for a second before asking, “What do you mean, you win?”

“You may be fucking your fingers, but you’re wishing it was my cock. I’ll still be the one getting you off, darling.”

Emma scoffed at his arrogance.

“Admit it, you’re imaging my cock slamming into you, over and over, hitting you in just that spot your fingers don’t quite stroke the same way.”

Emma narrowed her eyes at him. Of course he was right, but she wasn’t going to admit it. Instead, she plunged her fingers deep one more time, gathering more wetness, then she quickly wrapped her hand around Killian’s shaft.

“Fuck,” Killian growled at the contact.

A wicked smile stole her lips as she pumped his shaft, the slippery glide making him cry out in ecstasy. “You’ll be the only one making admissions today.” Emma stroked him flawlessly, paying special attention to his head, but the moment she felt the telltale spasming in his length as his balls began to constrict, she pulled her hand away completely.  

Killian cried out at the sudden loss, a sizzle of pain slicing through his shaft and into his abdomen. His balls contracted painfully as his release was denied. He struggled against the restraint, desperate to jerk his own cock to completion.  Throwing his head back against the pillow, he squeezed his eyes shut; there was no way he would win this battle.

His whole body jumped when he felt her hand squeeze the head of his cock before beginning to stroke him again. He wanted to tell her to stop, he knew she was going to edge him again, but damn, it felt so fucking good, and his brain was unable to overrule his head.

Emma grinned devilishly as her pirate husband fought and lost the battle to let her have her way. Her core clenched tight as she took pleasure in the way he strained, his beautiful body fighting a losing battle, and his cheeks a delicious pink from the exertion. She was soaked and needed him to yield, which was why she had resorted to these desperate measures. Once more she brought him to the edge, then mercilessly pulled him back. His desperate moans had her touching her clit as she watched her handiwork.

“Fucking hell, lass!” he roared, eyes squeezed shut, head thrust back into the pillow. Every muscle in his body jumped with anticipation, his heart rate doubled, and his breaths were jagged and loud, even to his own ears. His hips bucked into the air, seeking contact of any type. One more touch would bring him to completion. His mind was so jumbled he couldn’t decide if he loved this sweet torture, or hated it. Either way he needed her, now. “I yield!”

Emma clasped her hands together in front of her chest like a child about to get a present. “What was that?” she asked sweetly.

“You heard me, wench. I’ll confess,” he grumbled.

Emma threw herself on her stomach, head next to his chest, hands folded under her chin. She grinned like a cherub as she awaited his confession.

“Would you mind releasing me first?”

“What do you take me for? Confession first, pirate.” She smiled at him lovingly as she spoke.

“Smart lass,” Killian chuckled. “All right then, I admit it!” he said theatrically. “I, Killian Jones, did, of sound mind, coerce a child into more time, so that I, being the pirate I am, could have my wicked way with his mother.”

“And as for your dirty thoughts, Killian Jones?”

“Aye, there were many as I envisioned ravishing my beautiful wife, and I do not regret my choices.”

“And how did you plan to do that?”

“I planned to feast on your breasts while fingering your pretty cunt, and after, I would have made you come with my mouth, and then I was going to fuck you until you couldn't walk straight.”

“So, what are you waiting for?” she asked breathily as she waited for him to realize the restraints were lifted.

Killian immediately sprang forward and jumped on his wife, smothering her with rough kisses. When he felt Emma’s hand circle his cock, he pushed her hand away. “I’m afraid I’m so worked up, you will have me undone with a single stroke of that evil hand. I don’t wish to lose twice in one day.”

Emma acquiesced and threaded both hands into his thick hair as he began his worship. Bracing himself with his blunted arm, Killian eagerly nibbled his way down her neck, surely leaving marks in his wake. He rubbed her clit with a steady pace and feasted upon her breasts one at a time, just as he’d promised.

“Oh, Killian,” she moaned, “you make me feel so good, babe.” She was flushed with a beautiful shade of pink, slightly embarrassed at how quickly he’d brought her to her peak, just as he’d foretold, but also immensely titillated.

“I guess I’m not the only one worked up?” He smirked at her pink cheeks as she panted through her climax. Not wanting her to have a chance to recover, Killian slid further down her body until his face was nestled between her thighs. He chuckled when she jerked against his tongue as he licked along her dripping wet slit.

“Too much, hold on,” she cried.

“I believe turnabout is fair play, love.” Killian sucked her clit into his mouth and circled his tongue around the swollen flesh. Her cries of pleasure had him ready to burst, but he continued on with determination.

“Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck,” Emma whined as the overstimulation became too much. She needed him to stop, or she needed to come, as the building pressure was too much. Grabbing his hand, she guided it to her entrance, desperate for something to tip her over the edge. Ever thankful for how well he read her, she came the second he thrust two fingers inside her heat. Bearing down on his hand, Emma rode out her orgasm as he licked away her dripping arousal.   

Silently thanking the heavens for how responsive Emma’s body was to his, Killian moved up her frame and lined himself up at her swollen entrance. “I’m not going to last long, Swan. The promise to fuck you until you can’t walk straight will have to wait.”

Emma brushed her hair back off of her sweaty face, “That’s okay, we’re on a timeline anyway.”   She chuckled lightly before extending her hand around his neck and bringing his lips to hers. Tracing the seam of his lips, she moaned softly when his tongue slid into her mouth at the same time his cock plunged into her depths. “I love the way your cock fills me up, babe.” Emma palmed his backside with one hand urging him to move, and caressed his earlobe with her other.   

Killian grunted as her post orgasmic walls sucked against his cock. Think of anything except for how good it feels, mate, he implored himself.  The way Emma squeezed his arse as she met him thrust for thrust, and tugged at his earring was not helping in his plight to stay the course for a little bit longer.

It was not an exaggeration - his cock felt magnificent each time he penetrated her - but Emma could tell he was struggling to stave his release and she suddenly felt horrible about edging him. He’d already made her come twice, and was holding out for a third, which had to be painful given his need to come.  “Don’t hold back, Killian, come for me.”  

Killian was lost to the cause when Emma whispered to him before biting down on his earlobe. He came with a groan, hot and thick, painting her walls as their combined releases mixed and spilled down her thighs. He slammed home erratically and a shiver wrested his whole body as he savored the previously denied thrill that now blazed from the tip of his cock, into his balls and all the way through him. Breathing raggedly, Killian slumped against her as a feeling akin to fatigue set in.

“Did I tire you out?”

“All that fucking torment and teasing,” he mumbled into her shoulder. “You’re so bleeding brilliant when you let that depraved mind play.”

“Depraved?”

“Aye, lass, depraved, and I love you for it.” Killian wished he’d asked Henry to change the plan to a lunch meeting now that he was lying naked and sated in Emma’s arms.

“Maybe Henry would meet us for lunch instead?”

Killian chuckled. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

“When did you talk to him anyway?”

Killian lifted himself from the warmth of her body so they could get cleaned up. “He was already at the Jolly when I got there, seems he had the same notion to close her up with the nasty weather.”

“Wow, that seems… overly helpful for a teenager.” Emma started the shower, then threw her hair into a bun so she could wash quickly and not worry about catching her death with wet hair on the way to breakfast. After all they’d survived, it’d be a shame to die of hypothermia.

“Well, I may have told him the old girl would be all his come this summer if he wishes to take a certain friend sailing.”

“A certain friend?” she questioned while stepping into the shower.

“Some lass from school he can’t seem to stop talking about.” Killian stepped in behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle, waiting for the onslaught of questions.

“What? He hasn’t said a word to me!” Emma turned around and broke from his embrace. Placing her hands on her hips in a very assertive way, she gave him a look that was part hurt and part resigned. “I mean, I know I’m his mom, and I’m a girl, but still. He hasn’t mentioned… anything. What’s her name? What does she look like? Is she sweet, does she go to his school? Are they in the same grade? Who are her parents? Why is he hiding all this from me?” Emma’s voice became higher pitched and her words sped up as she got worked up over not knowing about her own son’s crush. This was the second time, and she wasn’t even the Dark One anymore, so why would he hide it from her.

“Easy, love.” Killian pulled her back against his chest, his blunt arm holding her waist solidly as he rubbed her back soothingly with his right hand. “Henry is not hiding anything from you. He just hasn’t told you about her yet. It’s nothing personal, I imagine most teen boys would rather talk to another male when it comes to matters of the opposite sex.” He leaned back and cupped her cheek. “If you’d like, I can tell him he should talk to you about these things.”

Emma laid her cheek heavily in his palm. Of course he would do that for her. “No, Killian, I don’t want you to do that. I love that he has you to confide in, that he trusts you.” Tears welled in her eyes as she realized Henry wasn’t her little boy anymore; he was their young man, and he needed a man to talk to, not just a mom.

“He trusts you too, Emma. It has nothing to do with trust and everything to do with a boy and his crush. It’s guy talk.”

Emma let Killian comfort her. Leaning into his embrace once more, she circled her arms around him. “I love you, Killian. And Henry is so lucky to have you for a stepdad.”

Holding her under the hot spray of the shower, Killian pondered the word, stepdad. It always filled him with a sense of awe and pride. Anyone could father a child, as was proof where his own father was concerned, but to be a stepdad and be chosen as a father figure was very meaningful to him. Killian and Emma shared a tender kiss, one that spoke of deep love, before washing and readying to meet the subject of their full hearts.

❄❤❄

“Hey, kid,” Emma greeted Henry, who was already sitting in a booth at Granny’s with drinks ordered.

“Morning mom, Killian,” he greeted cheerfully as they scooted into the seat across from him.  

“Morning again, lad. So what’s this meeting all about?”

Henry leaned across the Formica table top conspiratorially. “A new operation.”

Emma’s eyes darted around the diner as she too leaned in. “What’s going on? Who’s in trouble? Or is the whole town in trouble?” Her son had the audacity to laugh at her. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing so serious, mom. I want to call it Operation Happy Holidays.”

Emma turned to Killian and cocked her head, curious if her husband had spilled about their early morning conversation. He didn’t look at her, but instead sipped the coffee that had been ordered for him while his cheek and ear flushed under her gaze.

“Operation Happy Holidays, huh? Why do we need an operation to make the holidays happy?”

“Well, a couple people inspired the operation, but the reasons are really about the same. This is the first Christmas where we don’t have the threat of some evil villain or another distraction from the holiday. It’ll be Killian’s first Christmas with us as a family, and Mom’s first Christmas without Robin. And, Mom, it’s your first real holiday since coming to Storybrooke where you’re not being called upon as The Savior. We could actually focus on making family traditions this year. I think both my moms could use it.”

Tears had formed in Emma’s eyes as she listened to her son. “How did I get such a great son?”

Henry shrugged his shoulders, making light of the situation. “Just lucky, I guess.”

After placing their orders, they got down to the planning phase of the operation. “So just what and who does this operation include?” Killian asked.

Henry smiled and raised his eyebrows, excited that he’d been asked. “Well,” he started, picking up a small journal from next to him and placing it on the table, “I’ve put down some ideas for family gatherings, and wanted to get your input on them and your ideas for other things to include.”

Flipping open to his notes, Henry slid the book across the table for Emma and Killian to peruse. Page one was appropriately titled Operation Happy Holidays, and below was a list of possible traditions, along with which people to invite.

“This is quite the list you have here, Henry. Have you spoken to any of the other guests?” Killian asked.

“I’ve mentioned some of it to Grandma, and she has agreed to help me with logistics and guests. She’s kind of really good at the group organizing thing.”

Emma chuckled at the understatement, because her mother had a knack for twisting the arms of any person, no matter how tough, without a falter in her sweet smile. And she’d have them thanking her for making them see things her way. “What is a progressive dinner party?”

“It’s where you have drinks, appetizers, dinner, and dessert, but each segment of the meal is held at a different house over the course of the evening.”

“That sounds rather entertaining.”

“The idea is that one person doesn’t have to slave over the entire meal, and you get to enjoy the holiday spirit at each family’s home.”

“And who all would we invite to this event?” Emma asked.

“Well, I was thinking this would just be for the people who host. My suggestion would be drinks and appetizers at your house, dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, and dessert at mom’s house.”

“You don’t think I can cook the main course?” Emma narrowed her eyes at her son.

Henry grinned nervously before Emma let him off the hook by proclaiming that she loved the idea.

It was quiet for a few moments when their food arrived and they ate hungrily. Emma wondered what it would be like to attend an actual party with the whole town of Storybrooke - one of Henry’s events. The kid had come up with some great ideas for that as well, a toy drive, and a karaoke fundraiser where you bid money to hear another person sing, and if you pay the right price, you could even pick the song. As an added bonus, if other’s really wanted to see the nominee sing, they could add on to the initial donation, which was especially helpful when a person did not want to sing. Emma would pay damn good money to see Rumple sing Barbie Girl. All proceeds and gift donations would be going to the Convent of the Sisters of Saint Meissa, where Blue would oversee distribution.

Killian was already thinking about what he’d be making for the recipe contest lunch, which would be a smaller event of family and close friends. He was competitive by nature,  so to win this recipe contest among the women in their circle of friends, who would be presenting their best dishes, would bring him great joy

“No fish.”

“What?”

“No fish for the recipe exchange, or you’ll lose Mom’s vote, and mine,” Henry answered.

Killian rolled his eyes, a trait that had rubbed off from Emma. “Uncultured swine,” he muttered.

“Hey! I didn’t say anything.”

“Aye, love, but you know the boy is right.”

“I like fish,” she argued, “it just probably wouldn’t get my vote over Mom’s Beef Burgundy or Regina’s lasagna.” She looked at Henry with an evil smile, “Or even frozen Brussel sprouts.” She and her son both burst into laughter, enjoying the chance to rib their favorite fish loving pirate.    

“Laugh away, family, you’ll both be eating crow when I win this thing.”

They laughed at his idiom turned pun, and Emma rubbed his shoulder. “I’ll love anything you make, babe.”

“Ugh, enough lovey dovey crap. What do you guys think?”

Emma made a point of placing several loud smooches on Killian’s cheek, just to rile Henry a bit before answering her son. “So we have a full blown holiday party, a progressive dinner, a cook-off, and what were the last two?”

“Shop till we drop, and a cookie and White Elephant gift exchange.”

“What is a White Elephant gift exchange, lad?”

“In a White Elephant gift exchange, each person brings a wrapped, unmarked gift and places it in a designated area. Guests draw a number as they arrive, and they select gifts in that order. The catch is, you can steal gifts,” Henry explained.

Emma and Henry watched as Killian’s eyes lit up, and that signature eyebrow climbed his forehead.

Emma expounded on the rules where Henry left off. “On the first turn, the person assigned with number one picks out a gift and opens it so we can all see what it is. On the second turn, the person assigned with number 2 gets the choice of stealing the first person’s unwrapped gift or choosing a wrapped one from the pile. If two steals one’s gift, then one must choose and open a wrapped gift again. There are more rules about how many times a particular gift can be stolen, and when it can be stolen in a round, but you know the general idea now. So, what do you think?”

 “It sounds like a pirate gift exchange to me, I like it. And you know how I love my cookies, so a cookie exchange sounds delicious.” Killian patted his stomach for effect.

 Henry beamed at the acceptance of his holiday ideas. “And what about shopping till we drop? I suggest the Maine Mall. We could make a trip out of it. Head to Portland, shop all day for all of our Christmas needs. Grab dinner and see the city lights, then head back home.”

 Killian looked at Emma; they were able to do that silent communication thing almost as well as her parents now. The look on his face said he was game if she was. The look on Emma’s face said, if we must. Shopping was definitely not one of her favorite pastimes, but if it meant spending time with her husband and son, she was on board. “Is anyone else invited to this particular event?”

 “I was thinking it would be just the three of us. I mean Grandma and Mom have had their holiday shopping done for weeks now.”

 “Then how about we go today?” Emma suggested. Both the men in her life gave her a nod of approval.

❄❤❄

“I’m exhausted,” Emma whined as Killian and Henry dragged her to their final destination, as they had called it. They each had armfuls of bags, and had been at this shopping thing for six hours. Who knew a teen boy and a centuries old pirate would both out shop the only woman in the group. “Why are we standing in a line?”

 “Pictures with Santa,” Henry exclaimed.

 Emma opened her mouth - to say what, she wasn’t sure. Snapping it shut, her brow furrowed and her lips pursed in contemplation as she debated what it was she was really thinking. Her first thought had been, we’re too old for pictures with Santa. But perhaps that was her inner cynic, as the next thought that came was undoubtedly her melancholy self, I don’t have any pictures of Henry with Santa. The final thought that came was, I’ve never taken a picture with Santa. Emma realized, as her husband and son stood to stare at her, waiting for some sort of response, that she really and truly did want to take a picture with Santa. “Let’s do it!”

 The joy in her tone made Killian’s heart melt. He had no idea why taking a picture with a man in a red velvet suit would make his family so merry, but Henry had said it would be key in their little operation. Operation Happy Holidays was actually Operation Holiday Makeover, which had been put into action bright and early that morning when Killian had called upon Henry. Together, they had set out to get Emma into the Christmas spirit, after she’d confided her lack of holiday cheer in the wee hours of the morning. Killian could plan some things, but he had wanted Henry’s input for the intricacies of the holiday season - things he might not know about, like pictures with Santa and progressive dinner parties, as it were. Plus, Henry would be able to enlist all the help from others, and then Emma wouldn’t feel embarrassed, like it was only because of their discussion.  

 “So who’s going to sit on Santa’s lap?”

 “Forget it, Mom. I’m way too old for that.”

 “We are way older than you, kid.”

 “Yeah, but I’m a teenager, you guys are the kind of old that makes it ironic, or witty or whatever, so my vote is for Killian to sit on Santa’s lap.”

 Emma laughed out loud at the thought, unsurprised that her husband was more than willing.

 “If it is your wish to see me sit on another man’s lap, then so be it.”

 The photographer had a different idea, though, when the trio stepped up to the dais. First, he had them all set their multitude of bags down, then the whirlwind directing began. “Okay, Mom, you are going to sit in front of Santa, between his legs. Young sir, you’ll be sitting to her right, and Dad, you’ll be on her left. Mom, knees up, hands folded neatly around them. Dad, right arm behind mom, lean into her and kiss her cheek, young sir, left hand behind mom, lean into her, and head on her shoulder.”

 Let it never be said that the family Swan-Jones-Mills could not follow instructions. “Okay, smile, and one, two, three. Okay, for the next one, Dad, you look forward, lean your head in toward Mom. Young sir, head up, all of you looking at the camera. And one, two, three. Last one, here we go. Santa, mistletoe overhead, Mom turn to Dad, Dad turn to Mom, now lay one on her!”

 Henry looked over at the two of them, appalled by their PDA, and before he knew it, the camera had snapped one final shot.

 “See, what I did there, young sir? I didn’t even have to direct you, your natural response to your parent’s love was priceless!”

 They got up from their positions, a little whiplashed from the rapid fire directing. Killian was trying to hide his sappy emotions over being referred to as Dad; no one had corrected or argued against it, and it felt like the most natural thing. Henry was trying to wipe the image of Killian and his mom smooching in front of a mall full of people, and Emma’s smile lit up her whole face as she likened the feeling in her heart to the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes.          

 ❄❤❄

“Thank you for today.” Emma walked up behind Killian as he finished brushing his teeth, and wrapped her arms around him. “It was a perfect day, and I love our picture.”

They’d decided on the collage print with all three pictures and even paid the exorbitant fee for a frame right there. It now proudly hung on one of the walls in the living room. Emma had realized as soon as it was hung that they needed many more pictures - family pictures. They didn’t have to be professional either; she just wanted to fill a wall with memories. First thing tomorrow, she would ask her mom for a copy of that stupid picture she’d taken of her and Killian on their first date, like it was prom or something.     

“Why are you thanking me, love? That was all your boy.” He eyed her hungrily as her touch woke his body. She was clad in nothing more than a thin, white tank top and pink cotton panties.

Her hands roamed his stomach and up to his chest until her fingers carded through his chest hair. “I’m not stupid, Killian. I know you had a hand in this too.”

“Only the one,” he jested, holding his hook up and waving it in the mirror. He grinned sheepishly. “Are you upset?”

“That you and Henry have planned my holiday makeover… together? Of course not.” Emma got on her tiptoes and nuzzled Killian’s neck. “It’s the sweetest thing ever.”

Killian hummed softly as Emma teased her teeth and lips along his neck and up to his ear. “Anything for you, my love.”

It was easy to fathom just how much she loved him, especially when he said things like that. Without a word, Emma led him away from the vanity and over to their bed. She pushed him gently to his back and climbed on top of him. They made out like teens before making love, slowly worshipping each other.  

Idly tracing her pointer finger through Killian’s chest hair while lying quietly in the aftermath, Emma reflected on the day they’d had and the days to come. “So what is our schedule of events over the next week?”

“Well, let’s see. Tomorrow you have that pesky thing called work, so the lad and I figured we’d use the day for prep and planning. I have to get groceries for the cookie exchange, the dinner, and the cook-off, Henry will be working on something called Evites for the different festivities, as well as a schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas day.”

“What kind of schedule?”

“Working out when he will be with Regina and when he will be with us. I hope you don’t mind, but I told him to let Regina have her choice.”

Emma’s eyes crinkled at the corners and a full smile graced her lips. “How were you ever a feared pirate captain?” she asked rhetorically. “You are just the sweetest, of course I don’t mind.”

Killian rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t always this sweet.”

“You cook, bake, clean, plan dinners and parties, have a BFF who’s a real prince, and a kid who thinks you’re pretty cool.”

“I guess a full heart changes a man, love can do amazing things.”

Emma planted a chaste kiss upon his serene smile. “Love you.”

“And I you, Emma.”

After Killian finished telling her the plans for the rest of the week, along with his intent to win the cook-off and bake the best cookies, they drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

❄❤❄

“Our guests will be here any minute, how does it look?”

Emma looked around her festively decorated home. Her husband and son had definitely gone all out; it was the prettiest decorating she’d ever seen. So, maybe she was a little biased, but she’d actually cried when she’d come home from work yesterday to find her home completely made over into a winter wonderland.

“What’s the matter love, you don’t like it?”

“Mom, is everything okay?”

Both boys had rushed to her side to see what could be wrong. Emma just stood there shaking her head and covering her mouth with silent tears falling down her cheeks. After a moment, she was able to take in a steady breath. “I love it,” she said reverently. “Almost as much as I love both of you.”  She pulled her boys into a fierce hug, hoping they could feel her love as much as she could feel theirs.

“It looks perfect, Killian. And it smells wonderful, I think we’ve put together a pretty impressive spread.”

Somehow, just the small family gathering had been leaked, and there were a few more guest on the list of attendees. While Belle had declined for her family stating that they were taking their toddler to have photos taken with Santa, Granny, along with her visitors Ruby and Dorothy would be there, as well as Leroy and Blue who’d decided to give their romance another shot.

Henry opened the door when the first guest arrived, only to find that everyone had arrived all at once. Choruses of hellos, happy holidays and how are yous were exchanged, along with surprised hugs from Ruby and Dorothy.   

“It smells delicious,” David said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.  “What’d you make, Killian?” he asked, sidling up to his buddy.

“Ahem,” Emma interjected dramatically. “Don’t you mean, what did we make?”  

“Oh, who are you kidding, Miss grilled cheese and onion rings for every meal?” her mother teased.

“Hey! I can cook.” Emma folded her arms over her chest defensively. “Just because I don’t do it, doesn’t mean I can’t.”

“Maybe just tell us which ones you made and which ones the pirate made,” Leroy suggested. “That way we can save ourselves,” he snarked.

“Be nice,” Blue chided him.

“I’ll have you know Emma is a very talented cook, dwarf,” Killian replied.

The group headed toward the dining area where Emma and Killian had set up the food on colorful holiday dishes and chafing trays for the hot appetizers. There were flutes of champagne for the adults and sparkling cider for Henry and his toddler uncle. They toasted to the normal things, like health and happiness, and the not so normal, like staying curse and monster free.

Emma received several compliments on her unknown cooking ability, Killian preened about the attention his and Henry’s holiday decor received, and Henry just sat back and beamed at the success of the second phase in Operation Holiday Makeover. It was a rare treat to see both his moms happy and laughing. The evening was a whirlwind, from appetizers at the Swan-Jones home, to Dinner with the Nolans, and Dessert at Regina’s place.

Henry stayed the night with Regina, while the rest of the dinner party left to walk their separate ways around eleven that night.

“Tonight was so much fun!” Emma enthused as they walked down the street toward home. “I can’t wait to see what the next holiday themed adventure brings.” The temperature had to be in the low twenties as they walked arm in arm.  Emma was bundled as usual, and Killian had on all his brand new winter wear that Emma had bought so he wouldn’t freeze this winter while out on patrol.

“I am so glad you enjoyed it, love.” Killian pressed a kiss to the tiny bit of skin that showed between her beanie and her scarf. His heart was achingly full as his wife chatted animatedly about how much her spirits had already lifted. And of course seeing Henry get to enjoy both his moms at the same time was monumental; Killian’s own eyes had lit up at the way Henry’s eyes had been lit up. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in tight as a shiver coursed through her small frame. “I promise to warm your body the second we get home.”

“Mmm, I like that promise.”

“First, I shall turn on the heater,” he teased in a grand voice, as if he hadn’t been promising to ravish her until she was overheated, “next, I will start a fire, and then, I’ll even run you a hot bath.”

Emma elbowed him in the side as he laughed at his own joke. “You better be joining me in that bath, I think I need some skin to skin body heat.”

“As you wish,” he promised.

❄❤❄

Emma was woken to the sound of a cursing pirate. Rising from bed, she threw on panties, slippers, and a robe, then padded downstairs to see what the ruckus was all about. She silently watched Killian as he worked over the stove. He was bare, save for a pair of thin gray sweats; he didn’t even have on his hook and brace. A smile blossomed on her lips as he mumbled to himself, adding ingredients, stirring, flipping and tasting his creations. Silently sliding up behind him, Emma wrapped her arms around his waist and nuzzled his ear. “Something smells delicious.”

“That would be my pan seared scallops with lemon and garlic pasta.”

“I wasn’t talking about the pan seared scallops with lemon and garlic pasta.” She kissed along his neck smiling when he shivered.

Killian turned around in her arms with a boyishly happy smile and kissed her senseless. “Good morning, Swan.”

“Morning, babe. So how long does this have to cook for?”

“It’s nigh ready.”

“Killian, it’s nine in the morning. That’s not going to keep until lunch at one.”

“It doesn’t have to, these are just my practice batches.”

“As in more than one?”

“Aye, I need to find the right temperature and time to sear these tender morsels. If they go rubbery I shan’t have a chance of winning.”

Rolling her eyes, Emma peaked around her husband to see three pans, each with three scallops sizzling lightly. “And where am I supposed to cook my practice batches?”

Killian belly laughed at that and squeezed her closer. “You and I both know you have no intention of cooking more than you have to.”

“Shut up,” she muttered, narrowing her eyes at him before attacking him with kisses.  Emma let her hands roam freely over his bare chest and further down his body.

Killian backed her up until her butt hit the table and leaned against her, pressing his erection against her belly. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to distract me from my pursuit of the perfectly pan seared scallop.” Killian pulled away from her lips and raised his eyebrow smugly. “Luckily, I happen to know you are insatiable and powerless against my prowess.”

Emma scoffed, “Your prowess?” He was so infuriating when he was right, and he smiled that annoying I’m right smile and cocked that knowing eyebrow. “It just so happens I was eager to wish you good morning. Now if you’ll excuse me, I am going to… I have other things to attend to. Some of us don’t need practice with our recipes,” she pouted.    

“To hell with the scallops,” Killian murmured as he picked up their makeout session right where it had left off. Lifting her at the hips, he set her on the table and situated his body between her legs. “I’d much rather practice jabbing you with my sword.”

Emma laughed right into his mouth as he kissed her and said, “I love you, Captain Innuendo.”

“And I you, my pouty princess.”   

❄❤❄

Around one, the ten participants, as well as all the dwarves and fairies, converged at Granny’s who had offered to host the event at the diner. Everyone was starved as the great recipe cook-off dishes were revealed.  There was an awkward pause where everyone held their breath when Killian and Gold each proudly unveiled their dishes… pan seared scallops with lemon and garlic pasta.

“Hey, great minds think alike,” David said, attempting to diffuse the situation.

As Gold muttered under his breath, Killian shot David a look that said he must be out of his mind if he thought Killian’s mind was anything like the crocodile’s. Turns out the two had come further than anyone thought though, as they each eventually chuckled at David’s joke.

Everyone formed a buffet style line and helped themselves to each dish. Part of the game was providing the recipe for your dish, so each station had a stack of recipe cards in case anyone wanted to make the dish themselves.  They sat and ate and visited, discussing everything holiday related - who was ready for the holidays, who still needed to shop, favorite decorations, the best part of the season, what each family was doing for the big day, and so many more subjects.    

When it came time to vote, there were ten dishes to choose from. There was Emma’s pulled pork and mac and cheese, David’s shepherd’s pie, Mary Margaret’s Beef Burgundy, Regina’s lasagna, and Ruby’s spicy chicken enchiladas. There was also Dorothy’s deep fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, Belle’s French onion soup in a bread bowl, Granny’s patty melts with onion rings, and of course Killian’s and Gold’s scallop dishes, which probably wouldn’t garner a single vote, as no one was going to pit them against each other - not even for something as trivial as a cook-off.

It turned out Emma Swan and her family and friends were exceptionally competitive. As the votes were being read aloud, there were accusations of using catered food, nepotism, favoritism, food sabotage, and even ballot tampering.     

“My scallops were definitely better than the Crocodile’s,” Killian said as they clamored into the bug, once the lunch was over.

“Does it really matter, when I have this?” Emma asked smugly, holding up the first place plaque that Henry had asked Marco to fashion special for the event. Her husband sulked as he sat in the passenger seat, undoubtedly cursing Gold for the loss. “Oh babe, of course your scallops were better. You cooked them to tender perfection. But what’s most important is, I won the cook off, I won the cook off,” she sing songed as she danced around in her seat.

“Bad form,” Killian grumbled.

Emma shifted into first gear then placed a hand on his thigh and squeezed lightly. “I’m just teasing. Plus you have a chance at redemption since my overly competitive family decided to make the cookie exchange a tournament of cookies. You should call Gold, you know, to make sure your great minds don’t think alike this time.”

Killian scowled at her while pulling out his phone. He was going to find the best damn cookie recipe and win the competition.

❄❤❄

Emma and Killian sat in front of the fireplace enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire and the soft glow of their Christmas tree lights. Today they had wrapped gifts and prepared the house for Christmas with Henry. He was with Regina tonight and tomorrow morning, then he would spend the rest of the day with them. They’d spent this particular evening, Christmas Eve, at her parents home where they’d played cards, exchanged gifts, and eaten a meal fit for royalty. Killian was currently having a full on conversation with his present, an Amazon Echo, while Emma was sipping on a peppermint hot chocolate and reading the instructions for her new Nespresso Lattissima One. They were indulging in the quiet peace of the late evening after the flurry of activity the past couple days.

Killian had in fact won the cookie exchange tournament. The entries were anonymous to avoid favoritism of any type, and the panel of judges was comprised of the dwarves. They each received a plate with one of each cookie, and a scoring sheet.  The cookies were judged on three categories - flavor, texture, and aesthetic. No one could resist scoring Killian’s hook shaped - which took away the anonymity - sugar cookies a perfect ten in the aesthetic column, making him the winner by a landslide. He’d gone all out with silver and black buttercream frosting for the hook, and red and green frosting for a holly sprig to adorn each one.  

When Emma had asked him about the holly sprig, he’d explained to her that holly was a symbol of Yule, a holiday that some celebrated many years before, in the Enchanted Forest. He’d told her some people had used it to decorate doors, windows, and fireplaces, as it represented love and hope, and its prickliness was believed to capture or ward off evil spirits before they could enter a home and cause harm. He’d gone on to say that it was a masculine element, and the red berries represented potency, to which she’d requested he show her what type of male potency holly berries represented. He’d obliged willingly, of course. Three times.

The holiday party had been a huge success. They’d raised a pretty penny for the orphans at the convent, and Emma had even seen to it that Gold had to sing Barbie Girl, or cost the convent a grand in donations. Killian had laughed until he’d cried watching the Crocodile perform, and it wasn’t that the man couldn’t carry a tune, but the song was so damn ridiculous.  When Gold had tried to turn the tables by nominating Killian to sing Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me), Killian had gone out of his way to ham it up and rock the house. Just about everyone had taken a turn signing for the good cause.

“Dance with me.”

“Hmmm,” Emma hummed as she looked up at her husband, who had stood up and was offering her his hand.

“Let’s dance.”

She placed her hot chocolate on the table next to her and took his hand, allowing Killian to sweep her up into his arms and around the room. He had Christmas music playing on the Echo as they twirled around the room. He stopped them under the mistletoe each time they passed under it and made sure to kiss her thoroughly.  

Silent Night began playing as they stood under the mistletoe, and Killian held Emma in a close embrace and swayed gently to the slow song. Emma’s body shook in his arms and he leaned back to see what she was doing. “Why the tears, love?”

“I’m just so happy, Killian. This has been the best Christmas ever, thank you for making me fall in love with the holiday season.”

“Here, I thought you were in love with me all this time.”

Emma snort laughed through the happy tears and slapped his chest. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to say. I love you, Killian, so much.”

“I love you, Emma. Merry Christmas.”    

[ilovemesomekillianjones]

Hey, it’s your CS Secret Santa again here! I was just wondering if there was a certain AU or trope you’d like for your gift, and if there’s something you absolutely don’t want me to write into the fic. As always, I hope you’re doing great!

Hi Santa! How are you this fine evening. Are you ready for the holiday season?  All right, let me attempt to list all that I love when it comes to precious CS fic. I love AUs and Canon, although I know nothing about canon season 7 outside of CS starting their family. I love most tropes, but a few of my faves are best friend’s sibling, friends to lovers, co-workers, and set-up by friends. Fluff with smut is my jam (if you’re comfortable writing smut). I don’t read major character death, CS paired/sleeping with others/cheating, or bad decisions/mistakes born of drunkenness. I hope I answered your questions without being too constricting. I really am so excited to be getting a holiday fic, and am going to love and flail over your creation. Night night Santa! 

[justbecauseyoubelievesomething]

Merry Christmas to my CS Secret Santa giftee: @owlways-and-forever! This probably won’t post in time for it to actually be on Christmas because my computer is ancient and slow, but I hope you’ll enjoy the first chapter of your gift just as well for it being on the 26th!

It’s been so much fun writing this story for you and I hope you end up liking it as much as I did! Watch for the rest of your chapters to be posted soon!

Also, a big thank you to @cssecretsanta2k18 for putting this event together and keeping everyone organized! You did a fantastic job!

A Rose E’er Blooming - A Christmas Story for @owlways-and-forever

[ilovemesomekillianjones]

I need to work faster!!!!!!

how to post your gifts

Hello dear participants! Only two more days until Christmas. Can you believe it? It’s unbelievable how quickly time flew by. In the next few days, you have to post your gifts and are finally allowed to reveal yourselves.

Please make sure you

tag your giftee #nameofyourgiftee

tag this blog #cssecretsanta2k18

so your giftee and I can find your gift. I will make a big list of all your gifts. I heard that some of you will get your presents later than Dec 24th/25th/26th or you will get a present which is split into more parts. That is totally okay of course, please make sure to keep your giftee informed about the progress and also TAG your giftee and me in everything you post.

Now have a very merry Christmas and enjoy the following days and your gifts.

[justbecauseyoubelievesomething]

‘Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us.’ (David Cameron) // so, lovely, I love that you concentrate on the positive things about having a baby. It is by far the best experience and no matter how exhausting it can be, I don’t want to miss a single moment. And please don’t listen to any idiots who tell you what to do or not to do because ’it must be done that way‘. It’s YOUR baby and YOUR way and listen to your heart. If you can and want to (1/3)

breastfeed, than do it. If not, don’t do it. If you want to take a pacifier, use one, if your baby doesn’t want one, don’t force him or her to take one. He or she will show you what she/he wants or needs and you will quickly learn to hear what the baby needs and wants. And sometimes you will have no clue what is wrong and why your baby is crying, but that’s normal too. You are allowed to not knowing why and how and what. But I know you will be a great mum!!! Only three more days until (2/3)

Christmas and I have to make a confession. I won’t be able to finish the whole story in time. SORRY!!!! so I will gift you the pic set along with part1 (except I am able to finish it tomorrow night) and the second part you will get the latest January 1st! I hope that’s okay for you?! I know you will have a lot on your mind the next days so maybe it’s even better that way. Anyhow, I think it’s great that your friend moved out and that you are ready for the baby! I wish you all the best! Santa

You have no idea how nice it is to hear those things about being a mom and figuring out my baby. I just feel like I get bombarded by so many different opinions on the subject and the baby’s not even here yet! I’m nervous for what it will be like when baby is born and people try to tell me what to do. But whenever I talk to someone like you who tells me that I’m going to figure it out just fine and that deciding how I’m gonna raise this baby is really up to me it just feels like I can breathe again. So thank you for those kind words. <3

I don’t mind at all that it will be a 2 part! Gives me more to look forward to! And hey, I completely understand getting overwhelmingly busy around this time of year. I’m rushing to finish my own CSSS fic so I’m right there with ya! Can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with! I know it’s going to be fantastic!

[justbecauseyoubelievesomething]

'I used to think being a kid on Christmas was the best thing ever, but it turns out having kids on Christmas is!' Congratulations, Stella! Having a baby is the best that can happen to you. Of course, it can be annoying and also very exhausting but when they smile at you or tell you that they love you or say 'mommy' the first time you know it's all worth it. I am so happy being a mom of two. I would never trade them for anything in the world. You still have to work (1/?)

although you are having a baby in a few weeks? So, this year it does not seem to be a quiet and peaceful time of the year for you. It seems quite stressful and hectic. I hope for you that everything will be better after your roommate moves out. You must have a big big big heart when you offered her to stay with your family. Tell me, Stella, which ‘stage of CS’ do you like the most? The flirty 'one time thing’ stage or the 'be patient’ stage? Or is it the 'true love’ or the'married couple’ stage?

I think these were supposed to be a part of the same string of asks, but Tumblr is unfortunately not cooperating…. Imagine that. :P

Anyways! I am so excited to meet the baby “for real”. And everyone keeps telling me how tired I’m going to be, etc. but I just want to look at the positive side of things and focus on how amazing it’s going to feel when I hold them for the first time and see their dad hold them for the first time. I’m starting to get anxious for them to come now! My roommate moved out yesterday and my husband set up the crib immediately, so as far as I’m concerned, baby can show up at any time and I’d be okay with it! Now the stressful part is just making sure my sub at the office has everything she needs while I’m out. xP

Ooh, which stage do I like best, huh? I love, love, love their flirty dynamic! S3 CS is probably my favorite. Especially as Killian slowly begins pushing through Emma’s walls and you can see her reluctantly letting them down a little at a time. And they’re just so darn cute together! But I also really like the true love and married stages. Those seasons of OUAT I didn’t actually like that much, but reading about CS getting to those stages in fic still makes my heart so so so happy! I think I especially identify with the being married stage the longer I’m married myself. I like seeing them continue to be flirty and discover new things about each other, even after they’ve been together for a long while. So I guess the flirty part is still my favorite! :D

Sorry about the asks that got lost, Santa!

[justbecauseyoubelievesomething]

Hi darling! Don't you get my asks or are you very busy? I am just worried that you might think I forgot you but I've sent asks already and am always checking if you have answered them, but nothing. Just let me know if you've got the asks. If not I will send some new ones. Your CS Secret Santa

Good morning Santa! Yes, I have I think 2 asks from you that I need to answer and I am very sorry for taking so long! My best friend had her college commencement ceremony yesterday so my normal free day of the week was rather busy! So sorry to worry you! I shall respond to your other asks this afternoon when I get back from church!

[justbecauseyoubelievesomething]

"Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever." (Richelle E Goodrich) / Hi my dear! I am absolutely not sure if my last ask got through or not. It was 2:30 in the morning when I wrote and sent it and maybe I did something wrong. So if you haven't heard from me in a while, I am sorry, but I did send something. Anyhow. How are you? Is December a stressful month at school/work or is it not different from the rest of the 1/3

year? I am a mum, so December IS stressful but also wonderful. When will you put up your Christmas tree? Will you have a real one? What is it you love most about Christmas? The decoration, music, smell, gifts, people getting together? I decided to wait if you got my last message before asking all the things I asked again and also repeating my thoughts about the characters. The only thing I will do now is apologising for not asking for your name. Have a great day. I’ll contact you soon again!

I need to start a quote wall with all these beautiful quotes you’re sending me! They make my day! :)

I work in a church office so December is a little stressful. There’s a lot more going on on the calendar and people wanting to rent church space for Christmas parties, etc. We also have a lot of extra services this month and I do all the prep for those, but as long as I stay ahead of the curve, it’s not too overwhelming. I’m also about to become a mum! My first baby is due December 30th, so that’s more stressful than my normal work routine at the moment. :D Trying to make sure everything is ready and I just know I’m forgetting something, but I’m hoping that once the baby comes everything will sort of fall into place. Even if I do forget something. :P

Unfortunately, we can’t put up our Christmas tree until right before Christmas this year. My husband and I are renting a very teensy house and there’s barely enough room to put furniture in the living room as is. On top of that, my old roommate needed somewhere to stay for a few months so she’s in the second bedroom currently. Since she’s in there, we’re collecting our pile of baby things in the living room and it’s all just kind of… sitting there. xP It’s kind of driving me nuts, but as soon as my roommate moves out on the 18th, we’re setting up the nursery items and then I’m planning the very next day to set up our tree! I love Christmas and usually I would put the tree up immediately after Thanksgiving, but this year I guess I’ll just have to be patient. :) It’s a little, fake tree that my husband and I bought shortly after we got married so it was the cheapest one Walmart had to offer and it’s kind of pathetic looking, but it’s ours and that’s what makes it nice. :) It’s my Charlie Brown tree.

It’s okay about the name! I don’t generally use my real name on social media anyways (okay, so maybe I’m a little paranoid, but what can I say?). Usually I tell people to call me Stella and that’s my username on a few other sites, so feel free to call me Stella! :)

Hope you’re having a wonderful day! Can’t wait to hear from you again!

[justbecauseyoubelievesomething]

'If hugs were snowflakes I'd send you a blizzard.' (anonymous) // So tell me, are you a CS shipper only or is there also another couple you ship(ped) on the show? Which are your (two) favourite characters on the show? And do you also have least favourite characters? Have a great day!

I could definitely use that many hugs! Not even lunch time at work and I've done enough bookkeeping to make me dizzy! So thank you! 😊

Hmm other couples... I do ship Rumbelle, to an extent. I guess I should say i like the s1-4 version of them and any version of them in fanfics where they actually talk and work out their differences without the abusive subplot. Ick. And actually my other favorite ship is Gremma because I just multi-ship like that. 😎 But my only request towards that one is, please don't make Graham an asshole. I like when he and Killian and Emma are all good friends in fic. 😁

Favorite characters are hard!!! Definitely my number one fave is Emma Swan. She always will be one of the most amazing characters I've ever seen brought to life. I love her so much!!! 😍 But my next favorite is probably a tie between Snow, David, and Henry, honestly. The Charming family has one of my favorite dynamics! Especially in s2 and 3. I love them all!

My least favorite characters are the Queens of Darkness (Mal is alright), Zelena, and Regina/Rumple from the later seasons.

Phew, sorry that I tend to ramble!