Before Dawn 4/?
Title: Before Dawn
Author: thejacketandthehook (aka everystareverywhere)
Summary: Emma Swan and Killian Jones only had one thing in common: Emma’s best friend and Killian’s brother were dating. But Emma and Killian could not get along. That was, until the day they had to work together through a tragedy that no one saw coming.
Rating: General (but that will change to Mature in later chapters)
Word Count: 6529
Disclaimers: I own absolutely nothing.
Author’s Notes: So, I’ve been in the mist of writing this particular story for almost two years. And I’m hoping that if I have support, I’ll be more motivated to finish it. So my story is based off of the movie “Life As We Know It” starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. And below is the first chapter. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter One
You can also read it here: A03
@searchingwardrobes
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The funeral was exhausting, to say the least.
Being Liam's only surviving relative, Killian had a lot of the work to do. That didn't mean that Emma didn't pinch in where she could, but she was focusing more on Henry. That didn't stop her from ordering the catering ("Why do we need to feed people, Emma, it makes no sense. Can't they just say they're sorry and leave us alone?"), to making sure that Killian and Henry had proper attire, to even checking over that both Liam and Elsa's plots were ready for them. That's not even including the gravestones, which Killian and Emma agreed should say their names, their lifespan, and "Beloved mother, father, and friends" under their names.
But what Killian hated the most was the entertaining. It made no sense to him, something he kept commenting to Emma, who he was sure stopped listening to him. He just wanted to drink his rum and sit in misery for five minutes without all these people walking around Liam's house, commenting on how sorry they were. Oh, and Henry? How was the poor lad doing?
That made Killian want to scream all the more. Henry was fourteen months old, he had no bloody idea what in hell was going on right now. Or maybe he did, if his screaming at three o'clock in the morning was any indication.
"Killian," he heard someone say behind him. He would have groaned because he just found a nice quiet spot that had no mourners, babies, or feisty new roommates. But he knew that voice.
Turning around, Killian let out a breath. "Robin," he sighed before the two hugged. Robin Locksley, Killian's friend from college, and besides Liam, his best friend, patted him on the back before they parted.
"I am so sorry, mate. So sorry for your lost. If there's anything I can do..."
"I know, mate. I know. It's just...A lot to take in right now."
"Of course." They were silent before Robin cleared his throat. "Um, I heard something about a baby..."
Killian nodded. "Yep. I have a child now."
Robin's eyes almost bugged out of his head. "Hook, oh man. That's...."
He didn't know how to finish that, but that was okay. Killian knew what he was trying to say. "I know."
"So what are you going to do?"
Killian shrugged. "Well, right now, we're gonna keep living here until we can figure out--"
Robin closed his eyes and held up a hand. "Wait, wait, wait." Opening his eyes and dropping his hand, he said, "What do you mean 'we'?"
Killian rubbed the back of his neck before dropping his hand. "You didn't hear the rest of it? Oh, mate, have I got a story for you."
While Killian was telling Robin about the latest development that was his life, Emma overheard people talking about how awful this all was and how was Henry going to grow up without his parents. Living in a house with two strange people would be so weird for him. He would surely need some kind of therapy.
Emma was holding onto the plate so tightly she was surprised it didn't snap under the pressure. She sure felt like she was going to need therapy, just listening to these people who barely knew Henry and wouldn't be able to pick him out in a lineup of babies.
"Emma?"
She turned around to see her boss, Graham Hubert, looking down at her with that damn pity in his eyes.
Graham was a nice man, and one that she really didn't mind working with. God knows that the crimes in Storybrooke are minute at best, but he did have a way of making the boring interesting. And normally she wouldn't mind spending time with him.
But right now, right now she didn't need to see the tears in his eyes. Because Graham was someone who made her laugh. He shouldn't be crying. It's not what he does.
"I'm so sorry, Emma. Really I am. I--If you need anything, anything at all, please let me know."
"I...Yeah...Thanks."
Quickly turning around, Emma started heading towards the kitchen, the plate still barely holding it together in her hands.
When she stopped to lean against the wall for a moment, she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Mary Margaret standing behind her, David just a little to the side. Mary Margaret gently took the plate out of Emma's hands and did something with it, Emma wasn't sure. Mary Margaret said something to David, Emma had no idea what, but the next thing she knew she was being guided to her bedroom.
"Henry..." Emma started to say as Mary Margaret closed the door.
"Is safe with David. He's fine." The petite woman turned to Emma. "My concern right now is how are you doing. You don't look so good."
"I'm fine."
Mary Margaret gave a sad smile. It was clear she didn't believe Emma. "How about we try this again. I'm going to ask you how you are and you'll give me an actual answer, okay? Now, how are you?"
Emma didn't answer. That said everything.
Mary Margaret wobbled over to Emma and sat beside her on the bed. "I know I don't know you too well, Emma, but I do know a lost soul when I see one." She was quiet for a moment. Emma did nothing to fill the silence. Mary Margaret spoke up again. "I have no idea what you are going through. I won't pretend that I do. I've lost my parents, that is true, but I never had the added responsibility of another life on top of it. That, I think, is the hardest part in all of this. That now you suddenly have Henry. It's not just you anymore, huh? Now you have another mouth to feed. Another's interest at heart. That must feel overwhelming." Once more, Emma said nothing.
She didn't know what Mary Margaret expected. Emma wasn't the talk-about-your-feelings type, and even less so with people she'd had met only a handful of times before. Mary Margaret was always nice to her, that was true, long before any of this was happening. But Emma was a closed off person, only confiding her personal thoughts to one person.
And now that person is gone.
But Emma couldn't think about that. She had to be strong for Henry. She could carry on. For him. God knew it was going to be tough, but she had to be strong. She just had to be.
Bringing her back into the present, Mary Margaret was gently rubbing her shoulder. She didn't like to be touched, and normally would have shrugged it off, but it felt...comforting. Sure she had gotten a lot of hugs today (mostly from Anna, but those was hugs of sadness, not comfort). But Mary Margaret's touch was almost...Well, if Emma didn't know any better she would have said it was the touch of a mother. Never really having had a mother, she had nothing to compare it to, however.
After a moment, there was a knock on the door and David poked his head in, a crying Henry on his hip. "I so sorry, I don't mean to bother you. But he's crying, and I can't find Killian--"
Emma immediately stood up and reached out for Henry. "It's fine. Really." Taking him into her arms, she held him closely, her mouth at the crown of his head. "Could you guys leave us for a moment? I just need to regroup before heading back out."
Mary Margaret nodded before slowly getting up. As she reached the door, she turned back and said, "Emma, please listen. I know we don't know each other too well, but...We can help. Please let us help you and Killian."
Emma nodded, hugging Henry a little tighter. He wasn't crying anymore, which probably meant he just needed to be away from the crowd for a while. You and me both, kid.
Mary Margaret and David left, closing the door behind him. Emma sat down on her bed and sobbed quietly into Henry's soft brown hair.
~*~
The wake was painful, but it was finally over and Killian and Emma could finally move on with their lives.
Or so they thought.
Two weeks after the funeral, Killian thought he was going to pull his hair out. Henry wouldn't stop crying and Emma was ignoring Killian every chance she got. It wasn't at all what he pictured when he thought of having a family.
Which we're not, he reminded himself as Emma almost screamed at Henry when he spit out his mashed peas. Not that Killian could blame him; that smelt like shit, God knows what it tasted like. Instead of asking Killian for assistance or even just acknowledging that he was in the same room, Emma tried once more to get Henry to eat the mashed peas.
"Come on, Henry, just eat a little. I swear I'll get you all the chocolate you want, if you just eat a little of the peas..."
But once more, he spit them out, crying because he was hungry and the peas tasted awful.
"He doesn't want them, Swan," Killian finally had to point out, though that much was obvious.
"Well, he has to eat something and it's either this or smashed squash."
Killian looked around the kitchen, trying to figure out what he could give Henry before Emma completely lost her mind. Finally seeing something, he grabbed the tin of apple and banana flavored puffs and poured them out on the tray in front of Henry.
Henry looked down at them, his crying stopping instantly. He grabbed one with one chubby hand and put it in his mouth and smiled.
Emma looked up at Killian. He didn't know if she was thankful for that or if she wanted to kill him, making him eat something he wasn't supposed to. Either way, it got them a few minutes of quiet, and right now that was enough for him.
"You're welcome," he said before putting the tin on the table and walking towards the living room.
He was sure that Emma was mad at him; wouldn't be the first time he felt those icy green eyes in his direction. But he couldn't just let Henry scream when a simple change in his diet would be all that he needed. He wasn't going to die from eating those puffs. He knew eventually Emma would thank him, though he knew better than to hold his breath.
He just got comfortable on the couch when the doorbell rang. Groaning with frustration, Killian got up and opened the door to find a pretty brunette on the other side. She was shorter than Killian, even though she was in heels, with a soft face and big blue eyes.
"Hello!" she said with an accent, though he wasn't sure where in Europe she was from. "I'm Belle Gold. I'm from the Child Protective Services. I'm here to talk about Henry Jones."
Killian almost slammed the door in her face. Oh crap. He forgot all about this. Child Protective Services wanted to make sure that Emma and he were doing a good job raising Henry, otherwise there were going to take him away from them. Liam's lawyer had mentioned that part, Killian was sure of it. However, he was so dazed with the idea that he suddenly became like a father-figure to Henry that he didn't really retain any of it.
He suddenly couldn't remember if he (because let's be honest, Emma was not a neat person) cleaned up recently. It had been weeks since anyone was over, and he suddenly couldn't remember if he put away Henry's toys. Or where they scattered all over the floor, waiting for someone to trip over them?
"Er, Mr. Jones? Are you okay?"
Shaking his head lightly, Killian gave a fake smile. "Aye. Of course. Where are my manners? Come in, please."
He suddenly felt like a high schooler sent to the headmaster's office (a feeling that he hasn't felt in a long time) and he wasn't sure why. It wasn't like he or Emma did something they weren't suppose to do, like drink excessive amounts of alcohol or smoke something illegally. Other than a bit of a mess, they were fine.
"Killian? Who is--Oh. Hello." Emma came into the hallway, Henry on her hip. He was munching on something, and Killian was pretty sure it was Emma's hair.
Belle turned to Emma. "Ah, you must be Ms. Swan."
"I am," Emma said hesitantly, looking at Killian before looking back at Belle.
"I'm Belle Gold from Child Protective Services."
"Oh! We, er, we weren't expecting you."
Belle gave a small chuckle. "That's why we call them surprise visits!"
"Oh. Right, yes, of course. Um, so..." Emma obviously didn't know where to begin, and Killian felt so nervous all of a sudden. He was terrified that she would find something wrong with them and take Henry away. Henry was the only thing he had left of his brother; they couldn't take him away too!
Belle must have noticed the look on their faces because she smiled softly and suggested, "Why don't we start with a look around the house, shall we?"
"Yes!" Killian shouted, making Emma give a small jump. "Excellent idea, wonderful. Why don't I do that? Come, I'll show you around."
Killian was working on automatic, not really sure what was coming out of his mouth. He showed her the first floor, that contained the kitchen, living room, dining room, a bathroom, and what Liam had referred to as his "man cave," which overlooked the spacious backyard and had a pull out bed couch and a television in it, along with the books he loved. This was the room he was sleeping in, and Killian was thankful that he put his clothes away yesterday.
The second floor had the bedrooms, which was the master suite (neither of which Emma or Killian had set foot in), the guest room (which was where Emma was sleeping), a bathroom, and Henry's room. Everything looked neat, yet a tad bit messy. Obvious that people lived there but it wasn't a disaster. Killian was satisfied.
When they came back into the living room, Emma was playing with Henry on the floor, pressing buttons from some toy that Killian actually gave him for his first birthday. He wanted to find the most annoying toy, the toy that played a thousand different noises and talked all day. Well, of course it was now Killian who was stuck with it.
Karma really was a bitch.
Emma looked up as Killian and Belle walked in. Killian could tell that Emma had no idea what that toy did that she was currently playing with. Probably just wanted to look busy for when they returned.
"Now, Ms. Swan, Mr. Jones, if you could both join me at the table, I would love to have a conversation with you."
Belle got situated on one side of the table and Emma, carrying Henry, and Killian on the other. They sat with some distance apart, which Killian didn't take notice of until later.
"Now," Belle said, taking out a pad of legal paper and a pen. She clicked the top. "If you could please tell me a little about yourself." They were both silent. Belle sighed. "I'm not the bad guy here."
"You might as well be," Emma muttered darkly.
Belle put her pen down with a sigh. "Look, I have to report facts, that's all. If you want the truth, right now I see nothing wrong with Henry and his life here. He's well taken care of, I could see that the moment you walked in before, Ms. Swan. But I do need some background information on the two of you. If it makes you feel any better, I'm just checking to see if you are prostitutes or drug dealers."
"I'm the Deputy Sheriff," Emma stated. Belle nodded and picked up her pen, writing it down. "I, er, work with Graham Humbert, the Sheriff."
"Is that a dangerous job, Ms. Swan?"
"If I lived in New York, then yeah. But here? In Storybrooke, where the biggest crime is a petty robbery? No, not too dangerous."
"Do you work nights?"
"Occasionally."
Belle wrote that all down. Killian noted that Emma was holding onto Henry tightly and gave a small smile. The Queen Bitch had emotions after all. Except for the night of the accident, Emma hasn't shed one tear that Killian has seen. Granted, he didn't like crying in front of people, and often let his feelings about this whole situation out at night. But still. Not one tear? He wondered how high those walls of hers were.
"And you Mr. Jones? What do you do?"
"I'm a mechanic. At the docks. I fix the boats."
Emma snapped her head looking at him. "I thought you were a bartender?"
He cocked an eyebrow. "I was. Four years ago. Now I'm mechanic."
Emma went to comment, but instead bit her lip. She faced Belle again.
"Great. Now, one more question before I go. This is a bit awkward, so please bare with me. This...situation is more complicated than usual. Usually in a situation like this, the people who get the custody of a child are family members." She put up a hand when Killian opened his mouth. "I'm aware that you Liam Jones' brother, Mr. Jones. My point is this: people who get custody of a child usually are in some form of relationship. Now if I understand this correctly, except for the fact that your brother," she said looking at Killian. "And your best friend," she turned to Emma, "were married, you have no connection between the two of you, correct?"
"Er, well, yes," Emma stated.
"That's correct," Killian added.
"Now, this is the embarrassing part." She took a deep breath. "Are you two sleeping together?"
"What?! No!" Emma shouted.
"Absolutely not!" Killian yelled.
Belle held up her hands. "I'm sorry. I just had to check. Do either of you have romantic or...well, lustful feelings for the other?"
"No!" Killian yelled again.
"Why are you asking these questions?"
"Because, Ms. Swan, sex makes things complicated. Even when you're not having it, it's complicated. What we want is to make sure that Henry stays away from such complications. Let's face it, his life has not been easy and he's barely begun. I noticed that when I came in here, things were....well, cool between the two of you. Not in a bad sense," she rushed to say when Emma and Killian looked at each other. "But more in the sense that perhaps you two are a bit over your heads." She closed her pad with a loud snap, making both Emma and Killian jump. "If you two don't have any more questions, I'll see you soon."
"How many more times do you come to visit us?" Killian asked as they stood up.
"Two more times. The last one is when I decide if you two are a good for Henry. That's usually by the end of the first year. Bye! Nice meeting you!"
Without being escorted out, Belle walked out of their kitchen and the house. For the time being.
Emma leaned forward, one elbow down on the table, hand rubbing her head as Killian scratched the back of his head. She took a deep breath before saying, "Well, that's over with."
Killian nodded. "Yep."
They were silent before Emma blurted, "Did she need to know about our relationship? Seems a bit personal to me."
"She needs to know that we're a good match for Henry. Remember, that's what's important."
"Of course I know that!" she snapped.
He gave a sad chuckle. "And I wondered why she thought we were cold to each other. We must have looked miserable in her eyes!"
"Oh, shut it, Jones," Emma growled before storming away.
It was Killian's turn to lean on the table. "Cool, indeed."














