For 4getfulimaginator.
Merry Christmas! This is my gift to @4getfulimaginator here on AO3 and over on Tumblr for the Captain Swan Secret Santa 2025. I have enjoyed getting to know so much about you the last month, and hope you enjoy this story based loosely off of one of your favorite holiday movies, "Borrowed Hearts". I hope you don't mind but I took many liberties from the film to create this Captain Swan story!
Thank you to @cssecretsanta2020 on Tumblr for organizing and running my favorite event of the year again! I can't wait until I have some downtime to read all of the wonderful CS fics that will be coming out in the next few days from this event! This is my third year participating and I love it so much every year!
There is going to be several more chapters, but I wanted to get this up by Christmas like planned! Sorry I had the flu and the entire work is not finished yet! I appreciate your patience and will keep you updated on the status of posting! Story posted under the cut, or click the link above for AO3!
Chapter 1: The Proposition; 3.8K words
Summary: Killian has to pretend he has a family to close an investment deal from Robert Gold, a wealthy businessman who is looking closely at Killian’s company, “The Jones Brothers’ Fishing Factory”. Killian manages to convince his old best friend and right-hand woman at his company, Emma Swan, and her young son, Henry, to pose as his fake family. Based loosely on the 1997 film “Borrowed Hearts.”
It’s her 24th birthday, October 23rd. It’s a cold, windy, and rainy day in Storybrooke, Maine, but Emma is just glad to be celebrating with her son, Henry, and her close friends. She’s just watching Henry play with the Jukebox in the back of Granny’s when the bell over the door chimes, signaling another patron of the small restaurant has entered. She turns her head to see none other than her boss, Killian Jones, walk in the door with a wrapped gift in his bad arm. They lock eyes, and he gives her one of his rare soft smiles, usually reserved for her, Henry, or Killian’s best friend, David Nolan. David happens to also be at Granny’s tonight because he’s also Emma’s friend, and his wife, Mary Margaret, is Emma’s best friend.
“Killian,” Emma breathes. “You stopped by.”
“Wouldn’t miss it, Swan. Happy birthday, love,” Killian responds. He sets the gift down by her chair and stands awkwardly by her side.
“Killian! Glad you could make it, man,” David says from across the table, standing up to give Killian a bro handshake. “Sit down, man! Have something to eat or drink!”
Killian reluctantly obliges and pulls out the seat next to Emma. Just then, Henry seemed to notice their new guest and ran over.
“Hook!” Henry exclaims, and basically throws himself into Killian’s arms.
“It’s Killian,” Emma chided her son. Henry just beamed at her. Killian looked almost as excited as Henry to see the seven-year-old.
“It’s fine, love. Lad, it’s lovely to see you!” Killian commented and directed his attention to the child in his arms. Henry starts rattling off the things he’s done today and at school, and “Hey, Hook! Did you know today’s my mom’s birthday?” Killian obliges him good-naturedly. It’s probably been two or three months since the two have seen each other, and Killian asks how Henry’s doing every time he sees Emma at work. Killian owns the Jones Brothers’ Fishing Factory and part of the dock in Storybrooke. He is responsible for overseeing all the fishing that occurs from Storybrooke Harbor and has a factory that cleans, prepares, and packages the fish and shellfish caught. Even some fish and shellfish from other local areas send their fish to Killian’s factory and warehouse to be packaged. Killian’s older brother, Liam, started the company after he got out of the Navy. When Killian finished his tour in the Navy, he joined Liam, and they were very successful in the business for several years.
Three years ago, tragedy struck, and Liam was killed in a sailing accident. Killian nearly lost his left hand and wrist in the same accident. Since the accident, Killian hasn’t been the same. He pushed all of his close friends, including Emma, away while he grieved for his brother. During that time, Emma basically ran the company in Killian’s absence. Killian became a workaholic after the accident and came back to work too soon after his injury. He still had over 50 stitches in his left hand and was working nonstop. David still sees Killian regularly, and he still comes to birthdays and parties at David and Mary Margaret’s house, but he is still guarded in a way that makes Emma sad. She and Killian were very close before the accident. They flirted with each other relentlessly, and Killian was Emma’s best friend. Killian was practically a father figure to Henry because they were together so often. The accident has been hard on everyone who knew Killian and Liam, including Emma and Henry.
“Love?” Killian said, pulling Emma from her thoughts. Her cheeks turned pink before she could help herself.
“Sorry, just thinking. What did you say?”
“The lad wants you to open your present,” Killian responded, both boys looking at her expectantly.
“Oh, right. Of course. You really didn’t have to get me anything, Killian,” Emma replied.
“Nonsense, Swan. You and the lad purchased me a birthday gift this year, and I’ve been looking forward to returning the favor.” Emma picked up the present and started opening it carefully, while her memories pulled her back to Killian’s 30th birthday party in January of this year.
David threw Killian’s birthday party at Killian’s giant house, and when Emma arrived, she couldn’t find Killian anywhere. She had gotten Granny to watch Henry for the evening so she could go to the party, and she was looking forward to a nice night out and spending time with Killian. Only, there were so many people there that hardly knew Killian. Nearly everyone from Killian’s company had shown up, even though Killian had most certainly not chatted with these employees outside of strictly business. Emma had dressed up for the occasion and had worn ripped jeans, black ankle boots with a heel, and a nice blouse with a V-neck that showed off all of Emma’s good assets. She searched all areas where party participants were gathered, and even asked a few if they had seen Killian. She had a wrapped gift she had to give him that she and Henry had picked out together. She promised Henry she would get Killian to open his gift in front of her so she could recount his reaction to her very curious son.
Except, she walked the halls of Killian’s giant house and couldn’t find him. It finally dawned on her that he was probably sulking alone in his study, where he went to work and think. And in this case, avoid people. She went up the split-level stairs and opened the small door, where she followed another hallway until entering the door to his study. He specifically had his study hidden away from anyone who didn’t know how to get to it. Emma, however, knew every room in this house like the back of her hand, even though she hadn’t been in the house in over a year. She found Killian in his study, with a fire in the fireplace, and dressed in his usual: all black. He had a glass of rum in his right hand, and he turned his head slowly upon hearing her enter the room.
“Swan,” he had said. He smiled appreciatively at her as she walked closer to him and sat in the leather chair next to him.
“Drinking alone, are we?” She had asked, setting his present on the coffee table in front of them. Emma could see the hurt behind his blue eyes, as only someone close or used to be close to Killian could do.
“Well, the festivities weren’t exactly my idea. Dave insisted, saying 30 was a big deal. So here we are. What brings you here, Swan?”
“Uh, I came to see you. Looked for you all over the house. Luckily, I know about your study and your brooding habits,” She replied, looking at him pointedly. “Henry and I picked out a gift for you, and he begged me to have you open it in front of me so I could recount your reaction to him in the morning.”
“The lad picked something out for me? It must be quite special,” Killian winked. He set down his rum between them and gingerly started opening the wrapping from the box. Emma took the time then to down Killian’s rum. She needed all the liquid courage she could get while Killian opened the emotional gift she and Henry had picked out for him. After opening the box, he gently pulled out the ship in the bottle. Not just any ship- but his beloved Jolly Roger replica in a bottle. Tears formed in his blue eyes, and he tried to blink them away, but Emma caught a few tears slip down his rosy cheeks into his black stubble.
“Emma, it’s” Killian started, but couldn’t finish.
“I know,” she replied, reaching her hand over to clasp onto his battered left hand. He looked up at her sharply then, and she could see the wrecked expression on his face.
“It’s perfect. I, I love it so much. It’s the most lovely gift. Please, tell Henry how very grateful I am for this.” He said, while staring into Emma’s green eyes.
“Of course,” she managed, holding back some of her own tears at this point.
“Where on Earth did you find such a magnificent vessel in a bottle?” Killian said, smirking at her while still looking at her with wonder. It made Emma feel like old times before the accident.
“Henry had the idea last fall. I went to Geppetto, who promised he could make your ship. He told me he was friends with Turtle Heart, the glassblower. They worked together to make it. It turned out really magnificent. Henry was ecstatic and kept asking when we could give it to you.” Emma finished. “I told him you were busy, but that I could give it to you tonight.”
“Thank you, Emma, and thank Henry for me. It’s perfect. I’m going to display it here in my study. Maybe even take a picture of it to put in my office at work. You should have told me, and I could have stopped by to see Henry myself. I miss the lad.”
“He misses you, too. Asks about you almost every day.” Emma smiled sadly.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around for him, Emma.”
“Hey, it’s not your responsibility. You’re not his dad. But, he does enjoy your company.” They spent the next hour or so talking quietly, and Killian poured Emma her own glass of rum. After a while, David came into the study to talk to Killian, and Emma excused herself and drove home. She was hopeful that this was the olive branch they needed to begin their friendship once again, but it almost seemed like Killian avoided all personal conversations while at work after the party. She saw him every day at work, given that she was the dock manager. She managed all the fishermen and fishing boats coming into the harbor. She was over their payroll, oversaw their weigh-ins each day, and managed all communication between the dock and the factory. Emma was Killian’s right-hand woman when it came to the dock and the fisherman. She also worked with the city during holidays to decorate the dock with round string lights during the late spring and summer, and Christmas lights during the winter. Besides Emma, the only other right-hand man was Mr. Smee, who was the assistant manager of the factory, second in command only to Killian.
Emma’s pulled out of her reverie when her fingers land on soft wool, and she pulls out a thick, red sweater. It’s a beautiful color, and it matches her signature red leather jacket to a tee. It feels warm, and it has a nice Aran fisherman style.
“Killian, it’s” she breathes, unable to finish her thought as she takes in the beautiful sweater that must have cost a small fortune.
“I know,” he says, repeating her own words from months ago at his birthday party back to her. She looks up sharply at his words, and he has a genuine smile that has been all too rare in the last few years. He smirks at her, the bastard, before giving her additional information about the sweater.
“I have a friend back in England who specializes in these sweaters. I know how much you love your sweaters and your red leather jacket. Thought this would be a nice addition to your wardrobe.” He says, still gazing into her eyes.
“Thank you, Killian. I love it.” She says, tears brimming in her eyes. Despite them not becoming closer since his birthday party, this did feel like his version of an olive branch. Maybe they can finally try to repair their friendship. David, Mary Margaret, and Henry are all talking about the sweater. Why her son knows the words “merino wool” is beyond her, but she takes it all in for a moment. She reaches her hand out to take Killian’s hand in hers and gives it a light squeeze. He reciprocates.
“Of course, Swan. I was also wondering if we could talk for a moment, alone?” Killian requests, suddenly looking sheepish. Emma nods before sending a pointed look to Mary Margaret and David, who nod and assure her they’ll look after Henry for a few minutes. She stands up from her chair and follows Killian down the hallway towards the bathrooms in the back of Granny’s. It’s one of the only places where there’s any resemblance to privacy here.
“So, what’s up?” Emma asks as she turns around to face Killian once they are alone in the back hallway.
“I uh,” Killian starts, while reaching his hand up to scratch his head by his ear- a tell that he was particularly nervous for this conversation.
“Killian, just spit it out. What’s wrong?” Emma demands, knowing he could stall when nervous. “Is something wrong at work?”
“No, well- no. Nothing is particularly wrong, so to speak.” Killian says, still avoiding the actual conversation.
“Then?”
“I have a proposition for you, Swan,” Killian finally says, staring directly at her, finally. Emma swallows hard, but keeps his gaze. A proposition? From Killian Jones? Her used to be best friend and super big crush, but most importantly- her boss- has a proposition for her?
“What, uh,” Emma clears her throat. “What is it?”
“You know that investor, Gold?”
“Like, Robert Gold? The mega-wealthy dude who owns like nearly all other fishing factories in the Northeast and is slowly making his way down the East Coast?” Emma says, thrown off that in a short conversation, Killian would use the word ‘proposition’ and Mr. Gold.
“That’d be the one. He’s uh, interested in coming to Storybrooke to see our operations.”
“Your operations. You own the company.” Emma points out.
“Well yes, but I couldn’t do it without you. You're my go-to for all business things.”
“Mr. Smee is assistant to the factory; shouldn’t he be here to discuss this, too? Should we talk tomorrow at work?”
“No, no. This doesn’t involve Smee at all, Swan. Mr. Gold has been trying to come and observe our operations for months now. I’ve stalled him for as long as I could, but he’s insisting. He’s offering a large investment in the company in exchange for viewing our operations for a few weeks. He wants to essentially come and go from Storybrooke to his other nearby factories. He wants to see why our factory and business are successful, despite not being in a metropolis like some of his other factories.” Killian explained.
“Okay, I’m still not sure what your proposition is about,” Emma said, unsure of where exactly this conversation is going. There’s the obvious- all employees need to be showing their best selves when Gold is in town, and all rules and regulations need to be especially monitored. There’s also the clean-up that needs to be done around the business- in the factory and Emma’s side of things at the dock and her building- but this still could have been a conversation for tomorrow at work.
“Gold has a clause in his offer. He will only financially support a business if they are a family-oriented business.” Killian says while looking at the ground.
“Okay, but everyone agrees that you are really lenient about people having to leave or come in late or whatever if they have a family emergency. I mean, Henry and I are a prime example.” Killian just looks at Emma like he can’t believe he has to actually put the pieces together for her.
“Emma,” Killian says pointedly, maintaining eye contact with her. “Gold wants me to be family-oriented. Like, have a family myself and be a family man. Not just my work practices for my employees.” Emma just stares back, not quite sure what he’s insinuating at this point.
“I don’t have my own family, Emma. You know this. My mother died when I was young, my father abandoned and neglected Liam and me, and Liam is dead. I’ve never married, and I’ve no children. I’m a bachelor, and I live in my stupidly large house by myself. Gold has asked as part of this deal to stay at my house as he comes and goes, and I’ve already picked a room on the first floor for him. He needs to see that I have my own family, living in my home, that I care about and cherish.” Killian takes a breath before stepping closer to Emma and taking her hands in his.
“My proposition, Emma, is that you and Henry pretend to be my family. It’s only for the next few months, until early December, I think. In exchange, I know you’ve been saving up for a down payment on a home, and I will be providing you with more than enough money for a down payment.” Emma was speechless. Pretending to be a family with him? A down payment? How did he even remember she was saving up to buy a house for her and Henry? She mentioned it during their conversation at his birthday party, but that was months ago.
“I uh,” Emma started, not sure how to respond to such a big favor.
“Listen, I know it’s a lot. This is why I’ve been brushing Gold off for so long. Dave and I were talking about it last week, and you and Henry came up. I know you both, and I am comfortable with you and Henry. I hope you are both comfortable with me. Henry can pick whichever bedroom he wants, and we can bring all his things from your place to his room at mine. He can decorate the room however he wants, and-”
“Killian,” Emma said, stopping his rambling. “Of course, we are both comfortable with you. I mean, Henry would love it. He’s a great little actor, and he loves you. He misses spending as much time with you as we used to before, uh, anyways. I just- is Gold going to believe us? I mean, there are so many logistical things like how we met that you or, or we are going to have to tell him. And how are we going to get everyone else at the factory to know this without spilling the secret? I mean, Gold is a huge deal. And Gold’s not stupid. He won’t believe you live with a family with your current decorating style. We’ll need pictures of us, and we’ll need to take pictures of us together. And we need to put them up and make your mansion like, homey, you know? It’s just a lot and-”
“And he’s offering a lot of money. And we can figure all the logistical aspects of this out- together. You are an integral part of our company, Emma. But this isn’t about that. We were friends, are friends. And we used to be really close, and I know it’s my fault because of what happened with uh, yeah. I don’t want just any woman and her child posing as my fake family and living with me. I know the family part won't be real, but I at least want my connection to you both to be real. I think because we know each other and used to be comfortable with each other and possibly can become comfortable with each other again, Gold will buy it. Because you aren't some random person, Emma. And Henry isn't some random kid. I already care deeply about you both, which is why I'm asking you.”
They stare at each other, just inches apart, still holding hands, both taking uneasy and shallow breaths. Finally, after what feels like an hour but is probably only a minute or so, Emma exhales a long breath before nodding her head.
“Okay, we’ll do it. But I'm telling Henry first. You can tell him later. How soon do we need to get this process in motion?” She asks.
“Uh, this weekend? We need to be ready by Monday.” Killian says sheepishly.
“This weekend?” Emma repeats, bewildered. “It's Thursday night!”
“I know, I know. It's, it's my bad. I've known for two weeks. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you.”
“Fine, fine. We'll figure it out, starting with a plan at work tomorrow. But right now, I need to take Henry home and get him in bed for school tomorrow. And figure out how to tell him you'll be his fake father for the next two months.” Emma says, shaking her head and stepping away from Killian towards the restaurant again. Killian follows her awkwardly, but stays for dessert and helps Emma get her few belongings into her bug. He's the last to leave Granny's, giving Henry a goodbye hug and telling him, “See you soon”. This time, Killian actually means it. He gives Emma a long hug outside of her bug, before whispering in her ear, “Thank you, Emma.” He kisses her cheek as they break apart, and he walks off towards his car. Emma's left to watch him walk as she touches her cheek gently. Maybe, just maybe, this proposition will be a good thing. Maybe she'll get her best friend back finally, and maybe Henry will have a father figure again.
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Emma told Henry about Killian’s proposition on their way home from Granny’s last night. He was ecstatic to say the least. He promised he understood that it was really important he didn’t mess up when the businessman, Mr. Gold, was in town. Emma tried to set ground rules with him.
“This also means you have to listen to what Killian tells you, not just what I tell you. He’s going to be like your dad, and dads have to give kids directions too, just like moms.” Emma had said to Henry.
“I know, Mom. Hook was already like my dad before Uncle Liam died. But, this will be like we have a real family!” Henry had said excitedly as Emma unlocked the door to their tiny, shitty apartment. Living with Killian the next two months is going to feel like living in a mansion. Emma’s just excited to not have to share her bathroom with her 7-year-old anymore.
“We do have a real family,” Emma said, grumbling that her son didn’t consider her “real” family.
“I have a real Mom, and I’m a real kid, but we need another person to make a family. Like a Dad,” Henry said, looking at her pointedly. “I’ve always wanted to have a real family.”
Emma finally just nodded and smiled sadly, knowing how badly her son has always wanted to know his father. “I know, kid. Me too.”
“We’ll finally get our chance with Killian! I can’t wait!” Emma just smiled at him good-naturedly before hurrying him into the shower and getting ready for bed. But if Emma was completely honest with herself, she couldn’t wait either.
That night, on her 24th birthday, she dreamed that she, Killian, and Henry were a real family, and that it wasn’t just for show for Gold. She dreamed it was real.
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Hope you enjoyed chapter 1! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!