Last Minute Meetings

[marymargaret]

"No, no.  The roses are to be placed near the entrance hall not by the windows."  

Snow overlooked the placement of the flowers for the ceremony, biting her lip as her plans began to unravel around her.  It seemed not so long ago she was the one getting married and now, to her delight, Emma was.  The harried looking servant replaced the vases she'd pointed out, hoping that the erratic mother of the bride would be pleased.  Snow wanted everything to be perfect for her daughter's wedding to the reformed Captain Hook.  

"Perfect!"

She chose to ignore the sigh of relief from the servant.  She gave him a smile in thanks, momentarily patting his arm in apology for her behavior.  She knew she was driving the staff crazy with her suggestions and demands for how the ceremony was to be set up and run.  No doubt her husband was ready to draw her aside to make her take a step back.  

The venue was set.  What else?  She figured she'd check on the couple before heading to bed.  She set off toward the main staircase, choosing to visit her future son-in-law first.  The royal paused before the chamber assigned to him, knocking on the door.

"Killian?  Are you still awake?"

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

This was all so far beyond what Killian was accustomed to. Never did he think he would be preparing for his wedding to a princess, in an elaborately decorated hall with an extravagant ball to follow. He was more a man of the sea. However, he did not dispute anything. He knew Emma had been deprived of all this -- whether she wanted it now or not -- and it was important to both her parents to do this for her. Killian wasn't about to create any tension with her family. So many would come to celebrate her wedding and Killian wanted to honor that. Especially considering he was the groom. He just focused on the fact that he would be starting his life with Emma because despite all this planning and extravagance . . . that was what truly mattered.

They had not planned their life after this: whether they would return to her world, or remain here in the Enchanted Forest. It was really up to Emma, as he would follow her anywhere and she had more familial ties than he did. Though he supposed this was his family now too. What an odd thought. He had mostly stayed out of the planning, only giving input when it was needed . . . which was seldom. Even his suit for the wedding was not one he would ordinarily wear; it was that of a prince. But alas, he had accepted it, just as he embraced all this unfamiliarity. He had however managed to get his hand back; a nice perk for the wedding, though he knew Emma already had fallen in love with a one handed man. Still. It would be nice to get full use out of it; to hold her, touch her, dance with her properly . . . he would definitely not take his regained hand for granted.

Killian was currently looking out his window, deep in thought. He had to admit that the view was incredible; the entire castle was incredible. He wasn't sure how others would react to him come tomorrow, nor did he really care. The point was that tonight would be the last night he went to bed alone. That he would be committed his body, heart, and soul to Emma Swan and nothing, would make him happier. A knock at the door broke him out of this contemplative state as he turned his head in its direction. He immediately recognized the voice on the other end: Mary Margaret -- or Snow White as she was known here. Dressed in his regular pirate attire, he made his way to the door and opened it, revealing Emma's mother. She was the one doing most all the planning and had clearly been excited about the event.

He gave her a slight smile, knowing that he would never be able to call her mom or anything along those lines. It was too . . . bizarre. Though maybe that would change with time? But it was certainly in place for now. "Aye," he answered, a slight cheekiness in his voice since the answer to her question was obvious seeing as he opened the door, though he felt the need to confirm it anyway. "Care to come in?" He asked, stepping aside just in case she would want to. It was a good thing that Snow was a rather expressive woman, for had her expression been different, he would have panicked that something had happened to Emma.

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[marymargaret]

Frankly, Snow would never have expected her daughter to marry a pirate. Especially the one that they'd fought on the shores of Lake Nostos as they'd tried to defeat Cora and return to Storybrooke. But stranger things had occurred in her life. Nothing was impossible, it seemed.

She smiled gently as he opened the door.  Despite her earlier misgivings about the man Snow was sure that he had her daughter's best interests at heart.  She briefly wondered what he thought of the family he would be marrying into the next morning.  It was an expansive one,for sure.  Besides herself, Charming, and Neal he'd be gaining a step-son in Henry.  She knew the boy and the pirate had spent time together and seemed to get along well.  She only hoped Hook could fill the father figure void in Henry's life.  The princess also had expressed her interest to her husband in her daughter having other children.  Snow enjoyed having a large family, something that was denied her as a child.  Grandchildren were something that she hoped for, in addition to possible children of her own.

"If you don't mind," she stated, stepping inside the room.  "I just wanted to see if you have everything you need for the ceremony tomorrow.  Your clothing was delivered, wasn't it?"  The seamstresses had been hard at work in creating suitable garments for the entire family.  Snow had been quite particular in her planning, wanting everything to be absolutely perfect.  Even Neal, the tiniest member of the family, would be outfitted befitting a prince for the ceremony.  

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Snow spoke of how she wished to ensure that he had everything he needed for tomorrow. He had everything, and more. It was his first time getting married, and while this was not how he had ever envisioned it -- then again, he had never envisioned getting married to begin with -- he knew this was the kind of wedding that Emma was destined for. As she was part of a royal family. And it was a wedding her parents wanted for her. That was enough for Killian to easily embrace it. Whatever made his soon to be wife, happy.

Besides, he had no complaints. "Aye," he answered with a bit of a smile. "Can't say I've ever worn anything of its like before, but that's not necessarily a bad thing," he said a bit jokingly, though not without truth. Besides, the fit was perfect and the stitching was impeccable. As he previously thought, he had no complaints about anything. "Thank you," he began to say, but not just for the elaborate clothing. "For, all this," he added, his words that of genuine gratitude.

"Swan--" He paused for a moment, often calling her that but deciding to refer to her as her proper name in front of her mother. "Emma deserves it," he finished in a soft voice. He let the sentiment of the words linger for only a few moments, before his expression changed to a slightly more teasing one. "So after tomorrow, should I be calling you mum?" He asked in complete jest . . . sort of. He couldn't help but at least entertain the idea, though he knew he probably wouldn't call her that. Emma even hardly called her mother, mom. But still, it was a rather amusing subject to tease his future mother in law with.

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[marymargaret]

Snow couldn't help but smile as he stated that her daughter deserved the extravagant wedding.  She certainly did; it befitted the rank that she'd been born into.  More than that Snow felt that Emma deserved such a thing as she'd done so much for the happiness of others in her life.  It was her turn to have a happy ending of her own.

Snow's eyes widened as he asked if he should call her the maternal nickname, for a moment thinking he was serious.  She truly hadn't given it thought and he'd caught her by surprise.  She supposed she should begin thinking of him as her son, as he was marrying her daughter.  She felt a little ashamed that she'd yet to consider it.

The woman realized that he'd been teasing her as hinted by his tone.  She couldn't help but laugh, the potential awkwardness of the situation melting away.  "If you'd prefer," she replied, a bit of a teasing lilt in her own tone.  

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

He smiled when he saw her eyes widen in surprise at his question, before she relaxed and laughed instead at the realization that he had just been joking. He continued to smile, as she humored him saying that he could if he preferred. It was rather humorous to think that he was was technically older than both Emma's parents -- considering his time spent in Neverland -- and that they were all practically the same age appearance wise.

That, and the fact that Emma looked to be the same age as her parents as well. Such a complicated scenario yet one they had all moved far past. For now, he was merely relieved that she seemed to be at ease with him, for he did not wish to create any tension right before their wedding. Her laconic response also indicated that perhaps she had to leave, having much else to do and he didn't want to keep her here if she was indeed busy. "Was there anything else?" He asked her, not in a dismissive tone, but a genuinely curious one. Perhaps she had just meant for this to be a quick conversation, popping in, checking on him, and then departing to her next errand.

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[marymargaret]

Snow lingered in the room, wondering if the pirate would be open for talking.  She recalled the nerves she had the night before her own wedding and how she'd had no family to speak to.  Of course there had been Red and her grandmother but her father nor her mother had been present.  She realized that Killian was in the same situation as she had once been.  "Are you ready, for tomorrow?" she questioned.  She watched him with concern, not judging him to be one who was open with their feelings or thoughts.  

"And I don't mean just your clothing.  Are you ready to be married?"

She was aware that he'd been in love once before, with Rumpelstiltskin's first wife no less.

"I know we're not particularly close but, with you marrying my daughter, I'd like to change that."  She rubbed at her arm , thinking back to her wedding day.  "I had no family of my own at my wedding.  I suppose you could count Regina, though she was an unexpected guest."  She gave a low chuckle, remembering quite well how her step-mother had interrupted the ceremony to threaten her happiness.   

"You're gaining a family tomorrow.  Are you ready for that?

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Mary Margaret then asked him a question that may seem simple, though was far from it. Was he ready for this. He had no hesitations or doubts about marrying Emma. He had loved her for quite some time, and this was a decision that he would never regret not have the slightest reluctance in carrying on with. Was he ready to be married she was asking. He knew the simple answer would be yes and then that was it. He would say what she wanted to hear and how he felt. But that wasn't enough. Because, he wanted to be entirely honest with her. He didn't want to give a passive answer that was expected of him.

Also, the fact that she wished to express her desire to become close, as mother of the woman he was marrying . . . well, the reformed pirate didn't take it for granted. In fact, he rather appreciated it. He knew that his first meeting with Snow hadn't exactly left the kind of impression that he would have liked to now. But she had accepted him as changed, as did Emma's father. And he was not going to so easily dismiss that. He would continue to prove that they were right in trusting him with their daughter, even if it took a lifetime to do so. "I would as well," he said in agreement, also wanting to make the effort. Her next words about how she had no family at her wedding . . . well, it intrigued him, as he had not been entirely aware of that fact.

"Then it seems you and I have something in common," he said with a bit of a smile. She understood that feeling of gaining a family after having lost hers as well. Killian wished that if nothing else, his brother could be here to see this day. But he also knew that there was no sense in wishing and hoping for the impossible. He had lost his family, and gained another. First his crew mates, then Milah, and now . . . the royal family of the kingdom. A rather grand change indeed.

"Do you recall how you felt on that day?" He began to ask. Not the part with Regina entering -- he imagined it was rather disruptive and was rather relieved that they had made amends so that tomorrow would not be spoiled. He just hoped that no other enemy of their past decided to pay their 'well' wishes.

"From what I've been told and saw, you and your husband did not have an easy path to that day." He had of course heard, read, and even witnessed it when he and Emma had gone to the past thanks to Zelena's curse. This, was indeed something else that he imagined he and Mary Margaret had in common, and so by asking her to recall he thoughts, emotions and mindset of that day, he hoped that it would allow her to understand how he was feeling now.

"But standing there, I imagine it felt worth it, did it not? That despite whatever obstacles you knew would come, you were happy. And you would gladly face them with the person you love at your side." Which was exactly how he felt now. "I can't say that I know how being a part of your family will be like. I imagine many don't," he said in slight teasing and playfulness, considering the complicated family they and relations they had . . . hell, even Hook had a past with them in his relationship with Milah and thus, Neal's father.

"But what I do know is that I love your daughter. And I will spend the rest of my life devoted to making her happy and feel loved." Emma had been without her family for so long, and now having developed a relationship with her son, parents and all others . . . he would not do anything to jeopardize that by being unworthy of her in their eyes. "So aye. I'm ready for tomorrow as it marks the start of the rest of our lives." And he was excited and ecstatic to embrace it . . . with Emma.

[marymargaret]

Snow was surprised that he'd turn the question on her, asking if she recalled how she'd felt the day she married David.  She smiled, expression soft as she thought back.  "I was terribly nervous," she admitted.  "It wasn't even our first wedding."  She chuckled, realizing that not many knew that she and David had been married before the event.  "A dear friend married us earlier so that David's mother could see us joined before she died."  Her smile faltered as she thought on the event.  

"We'd quested to find magical water at Lake Nostos.  Certainly you're aware of the body of water," she teased, recalling their fight there before returning to Storybrooke.  They'd all come a long way since that day.  She could hardly believe that her daughter was marrying the pirate that nearly sabotaged their plans by working with Cora.  

"The water was meant to save David's mother though she poured it into the wedding goblet to heal me instead; King George had tricked me into drinking a potion that would have left me barren."  A life without children seemed like a desolate life to her, even with true love.  

"Despite technically being married already I was dreadfully nervous for our public wedding.  To have so many people staring at you, watching you wed. Yet as soon as I looked into David's eyes..."  She trailed off, realizing that she'd grown wistful after a moment.  She shook her head slightly, an easy smile returning to her features.  "Once Emma reaches you at the altar you'll be perfectly at ease."

His other question caused her to nod.  "It was worth it," she admitted.  "All the fighting, all the hopelessness.  The road to true love is never easy though it is one that needs to be endured."  She felt her chest tighten slightly in emotion as he spoke of his love for Emma.  She smiled, the apples of her cheeks aching slightly from the strength of it. "I'm pleased to hear it, Killian.  Knowing she is to marry someone who loves her so strongly is a great relief to a parent."

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Killian listened as she began to explain that she had been nervous on her wedding. She then spoke of how it hadn't been their first and he listened quietly with peaked interest. He needn't ask her to elaborate for she began to explain the story behind her revelation. They had wanted to get married so that David's mother could be present. It made sense of course. To have any family on ones wedding day was indeed a wonderful thing. But as Snow and Killian had in common, it seemed that neither of them had existing members at their wedding . . . at least David had someone though. He remained silent, not wanting to interrupt her explanation, though he couldn't help but give a bit of a smile as she mentioned Lake Nostros.

"Alas, the most recent time I was there I was rendered unconscious and don't quite recall what happened," he said, playfully lying. He of course recalled it perfectly well. It had been when he'd sided with Cora and had tried to kill Emma. Not exactly a fond memory. The only thing that he liked to remember, was that it was the first time he'd seen magic in her when Cora had tried to rip out her heart and was unsuccessful in doing so. As Snow continued, Killian wondered just how much she and her husband had gone through.

He had heard stories of course, but this just proved how little he knew of their past . . . though he was also aware that it wasn't his place to ask. Nor had he attempted to read the storybook that spoke of their tale. "I for one and quite grateful for the fact that such a cruel fate did not befall you," he said with the same playful voice, though his words held truth. If she had been cursed with being left barren, then Emma would never have been born . . . and Killian would never have found love for the second time.

"I can't imagine what that must have been like," he stated, on a more serious note. "Though it seems that whatever obstacle you and your husband are faced with, you find a way to overcome it." Despite all the odds and all the enemies that sought to keep them apart. As she had said, the path to true love was not an easy one, but at the end of the road, it was well worth it. Killian of all people knew that.

"As a princess, I wouldn't have imagined that having all eyes on you would make you nervous," he said teasingly. Though even he knew that her upbringing was rather different from your typical royal. It did give him some ease and relief, to know that she had once felt the same about everyones eyes being on her . . . and that the moment the other stepped out, everything felt far less nerve wracking. That was what Killian was banking on. "I certainly hope so," he said with a small smile in a low voice. This wasn't quite how he had envisioned his wedding to be -- though the last time he had imagined his own wedding, it was a long, long time ago.

"Thank you," he began to say in a strongly sincere voice. "For sharing with me a part of your past. I know that recalling such events can't be easy, and I am sorry to hear that such pains had to be endured." He knew what it felt like to recall the painful past, and so was grateful to Snow for being willing to do so with him. He smiled when she spoke of how she was relieved to hear how much he loved Emma. He knew he may still have quite a lot to prove to her parents and the others, but he would do whatever it took to do so. "When Swan and I went back to the past, I had a discussion with your husband regarding the woman I loved." Emma. It was now Killian's turn to reveal something about his past . . . well, sort of past.

"At the time you two obviously weren't married, and we were still trying to set your course on the right path." Have them fall in love. "I admitted to him that the parents of the woman I loved didn't quite approve to me, and he assured me that they would, if they saw and knew how much I loved her." He paused for a moment, having remembered telling David that he hoped that was remembered. "I am grateful that you are able to see that, for this wedding would not have been possible otherwise." His love and pursuit for Emma wasn't a rebellious streak. He genuinely loved her, and if her parents were not happy with this, he feared the tension that would result. And he knew that they would not have been able to get married for he never wished to place Emma in such a position.